Teen Knifed By 5 Teens While Walking Home From Riverhead High: PD

RIVERHEAD, NY — A 16- year-old boy was attacked and cut with a knife on his way home from Riverhead High School Tuesday, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police, the incident took place at 1:33 p.m. on Old Country Road in Riverhead. The teen was walking home and was behind Harbor Freight Tools heading to the adjacent shopping plaza when he was confronted by five male juveniles, wearing black ski masks, who demanded his personal belongings while displaying a knife, police said.

A struggle ensued and the teen was cut in the chest with the knife, police said. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The attackers fled before police arrived, authorities said.

Riverhead police detectives are investigating; anyone with information is asked to call 631-727-4500 ext. 312. All calls will be kept confidential.

The incident took place on the same day that Riverhead Central School District Board of Educaton vice-president Laurie Downs resigned after a sea of heated opposition to statements she made at a recent civic association meeting.

According to a post in Riverhead Local, Downs was speaking about her concerns about possible gangs, and that students were getting jumped and robbed; Riverhead Town Police Chief David Hegermiller said the data did not support those fears.

The comments were made at a Heart of Riverhead Civic Association meeting on March 18 during which Hegermiller was engaging in a dialogue with the public. Her words, "I don't want us to become a Brentwood," caused enormous backlash, with members of both the Brentwood and Riverhead communities speaking out at what they called "hate-filled" and "racist" comments.

Downs apologized Monday and resigned Tuesday. A press conference was held Tuesday with members of the Brentwood community and many Latino advocacy organizations speaking out about the incident.

When asked about the assault that had just happened to the teen, Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said it was impossible to comment without knowing the facts. But, she lauded the Riverhead Town police and said, "One incident should not define what's going on here."