5 Elkton High School Students Charged In Fight At Harford Tech: Sheriff

BEL AIR, MD — Five students from Elkton High School were charged in connection with the fight at a Harford Tech basketball game that broke out a week ago and sent one boy to the hospital, officials said.

The brawl began as a verbal dispute among players and developed into a physical fight involving those attending the game at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

One boy was knocked out, according to officials, who said he gained consciousness en route to a local hospital.

Five Elkton juniors were referred to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, which reported all were charged with disrupting school operations and these offenses:

• Three boys were each charged with one count of second-degree assault. Two allegedly assaulted the student who had already been knocked unconscious. One allegedly assaulted a teacher.
• One girl was charged with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly hitting a teacher and a student.
• One boy was charged with disorderly conduct.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who has cell phone video that has not submitted it to contact detectives.

Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said the behavior would not be tolerated and thanked law enforcement, Elkton High School and Harford Tech for minimizing damage and assisting in the investigation.

Related: Fight At Harford Tech Basketball Game Under Investigation

Full statement from Harford County Sheriff's Office:

Following the incident that left one Harford Technical High School student unconscious, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office launched a full scale investigation into the events that transpired at the end of the men’s basketball game between Harford Tech and Elkton High Schools. As a result, five Elkton High School juniors have been charged via juvenile referrals to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Four males and one female were each charged with disrupting school operations. The female was charged with two additional counts of second degree assault for striking a teacher and student. One male was charged with disorderly conduct. The three remaining males were each charged with one count each of second degree assault. One assaulted a teacher and two continued the assault on the student that had already been knocked unconscious.
Sheriff Gahler remarked that he is committed to making Harford County a safe place to live, work, visit, and go to school. This type of behavior will not be tolerated. He offered praise for the quick actions of the deputies and allied law enforcement who swiftly cleared the gymnasium and minimized injury to students, facility, and spectators. Sheriff Gahler also thanked the administration and coaches at both Harford Technical High School and Elkton High School for their complete cooperation and attention to this investigation.
These criminal charges are in addition to any administrative sanctions Cecil County Public Schools may impose. This investigation remains open and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office asks that if anyone has cell phone video that they have not submitted, to please do so.

Image via Shutterstock.