Westhill High School hazing scandal: Lacrosse players face charges after staged kidnapping​

11 lacrosse players from Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York, are facing criminal charges after orchestrating a fake armed kidnapping as part of a hazing ritual, according to the AP. The incident, described by prosecutors as “hazing on steroids,” has led to the cancellation of the team’s season and raised serious concerns about hazing practices in high school sports.​

On April 24, 2025, several senior members of the Westhill High School boys’ lacrosse team lured at least five younger teammates under the pretense of attending a game. Instead, the suspects took the victims to a remote wooded area. Once there, masked individuals, appearing to be armed, ambushed them. 

The suspects tied one student up and placed him in the trunk of a car. The entire ordeal was recorded on video. The psychological impact on the victims is significant, although no physical injuries were reported.

“At some point by pre-arrangement, people came out of the woods all dressed in black,” Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick told the press, describing what happened. He added, “They were armed with what appeared to be at least one handgun and at least one knife.”

“I’ve seen the videotape of what happened. It is not a rite of passage,” Fitzpatrick said.

Westhill High School hazing scandal: Unlawful imprisonment and kidnapping charges possible

At a press conference, District Attorney Fitzpatrick went on to condemn the act, stating it was not a harmless prank but a serious criminal offense. “I cannot adequately express to this community the level of stupidity and lack of judgment involved in this case. This goes way, way beyond hazing,” Fitzpatrick said.

He warned the suspects to surrender within 48 hours to face misdemeanor charges of unlawful imprisonment; otherwise, they would face felony kidnapping charges, which carry a sentence of up to 25 years. All 11 students complied within 24 hours. 

Most of the suspects are minors and will be dealt with in family court, possibly avoiding a permanent criminal record. At least one suspect is 18 and may be eligible for Youthful Offender status.

In response to the incident, Westhill School Superintendent Stephen Dunham canceled the remainder of the varsity lacrosse season to address the team’s culture. 

Head coach Aaron Cahill, in his first year leading the varsity team, expressed sorrow for the victims and emphasized that the event was contrary to the program’s values. Authorities confirmed that Cahill and his staff had no knowledge or involvement in the incident and fully cooperated with the investigation.

The Westhill High School hazing scandal has sparked a national conversation about hazing in high school sports. Experts warn that such practices, often dismissed as rites of passage, can have devastating consequences.