Police: 5 students face charges after assault at Massillon High School’s homecoming dance

MASSILLON, Ohio (WOIO) — Massillon police say five students, including one from outside the district, will face assault charges after a fight broke out in a parking lot following Washington High School’s homecoming dance Friday night, sending one teen girl to the hospital.

Officers were already on scene working security detail when the dance let out around 10 p.m. Sept. 26, according to a police report obtained by 19 News.

As the crowd dispersed, officers heard yelling and found a large group gathered in the bus drop-off area near the school’s main entrance.

When officers reached the scene, bodycam video obtained by 19 News shows officers found a female student lying in the parking lot unconscious.

Witnesses told police she had been “jumped” by several other girls.

Officers requested an ambulance for a possible head injury, and the teen was later taken to Aultman Massillon by Massillon Fire Department for further treatment.

Officers said one student was initially identified by witnesses as being involved in the fight.

Several students told police that student did not start the altercation, saying another girl struck her in the face with the heel of a shoe first, prompting her to fight back before others joined in.

The victim’s boyfriend told police he was also struck in the face while trying to break up the fight.

Because of conflicting accounts on scene, no arrests were made that night.

Police said all parties involved were told a report would be filed and the incident would be investigated further.

School administrators reviewed security camera footage over the weekend.

On Sunday, according to a police report, Principal Tony Carr told police that four Massillon students and one student from another school were the primary aggressors who initiated the assault.

Footage also showed two of the suspects striking the victim’s boyfriend during the confrontation; those two students face an additional assault charge.

Massillon City Schools has not responded to 19 News for comment.

Police say they have not yet identified the fifth suspect, believed to attend a different school.

Detectives said they reached out to several nearby high schools but have not confirmed her identity.

Once identified, she will be banned from Washington High School events, according to police.

All five students are expected to face assault charges, which will be forwarded to the Stark County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Investigators say security footage, student-recorded video and written statements have been collected as evidence.

Police have not released the names of those involved, citing the ages of those involved.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.