A fight broke out in the parking lot of a high school in Utica, New York, on Saturday, and when a Utica City School District security officer tried to intervene, he was shot in the back of the head.
“A large fight occurred after a football game at a Proctor High School parking lot off of Tilden Avenue,” Utica Police Chief Mark Williams stated. “During the fight, two Utica City School District security officers attempted to break up the fight. During the altercation, shots rang out. A UCSD security officer was shot in the back of the head. He was transported to the local hospital, where he’s listed as critical but stable condition.”
Footage of the shocking incident shows multiple security personnel trying to break up the conflict, until one of the officers suddenly collapses. (You can watch the video here; warning: graphic content.)
Utica School District Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Davis issued a statement saying that all on-campus activities would be canceled on Sunday as well as after-school activities for Monday.
The violent group that was part of the fight had been turned away from Binghamton High School. The stadium for Proctor High School has metal detectors, but the security guard refused to grant the group permission to enter as he surmised they had weapons.
“He suspected that something wasn’t right with this group and he refused to lead into the stadium,” Williams said.
The Utica Police Department offered their gratitude to the security officer on Facebook on Sunday, writing, “At this point we will not be releasing his name, however we are offering our sincerest prayers for a full recovery. We would also be remiss if we did not mention the heroics of this security officer and the others who attempted to break up the fight and put themselves in harm’s way so the spectators and students watching the game were not in danger.”
“Although an arrest has been made, the investigation into the shooting is still on-going,” they wrote, adding, “The suspect, at 16 year old male, is not a current student at Proctor High School, but is enrolled in an alternative educational program. Due to his age we are unable to release his name, but will work diligently with the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office to seek the ability to prosecute the suspect as adult.”
The police department stated that the juvenile was charged with:
- Attempted Murder in the second degree
- Criminal Possession of a weapon in the second degree
- Criminal Possession of a weapon in the third degree (School Grounds)
- Criminal Possession of a Firearm
- Criminal Use of a Firearm in the first degree