High School Student Charged In Boston Principal's Beating: Police

BOSTON, MA — A 16-year-old high school student was arrested and charged with assault and battery in connection to the alleged beating of the principal of her Boston school that took place Wednesday on school grounds. The principal was hospitalized, Boston 25 News reported.

According to Boston Public School officials, the incident took place Wednesday at the Dr. William K. Henderson K-12 Inclusion School's Upper Campus on Croftland Ave. in Dorchester. Principal Tricia Lampron suffered injuries as students were being dismissed at the end of the day.

As a result of the incident, officials chose to keep the school's Upper Campus closed on Thursday.

In a letter sent home to families, BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said Lampron was rushed to a local hospital after the Wednesday incident, and she was home recovering on Thursday. Another staff member also was assaulted, Cassellius said.

Boston 25 News reported that parents who witnessed the confrontation said Lampron "suffered a brunt attack and was knocked unconscious."

The suspect, who was not named, was charged with assault and battery of person over 60, assault and battery causing serious injury and two counts of assault and battery on a public employee, according to police.

"Many students, staff, parents and caregivers witnessed this incident. This incident is disturbing and completely unacceptable," Cassellius wrote Wednesday. "We want to be clear: Violence of any kind is not tolerated and will not be tolerated in the Boston Public Schools."

Cassellius said the decision to close the school's Upper Campus for a day was made "with the utmost caution and to allow for time to further plan with the staff." The superintendent said staff members would be on-site Thursday to plan how to support students when the school reopens Friday.

The school's Safety Team, the BPS Crisis Team and other support personnel will be available at the school on Friday to "support students and staff for as long as needed to restore the stability of the learning environment," Cassellius said.

Boston 25 News reported that there have been other recent threats made toward staff members at Henderson's Upper Campus.

Officials said any students involved in Wednesday's incident, or in other violent incidents, will face discipline from BPS and law enforcement.

"This violent behavior will not be tolerated. The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority at Boston Public Schools,” Cassellius wrote. "I am personally involved and am ensuring we are taking immediate and swift action."

More details available at Boston25News.com.