Dec. 5, 2023
Yesterday afternoon members of the Lawrence Police School Resource Officer Unit and the Patrol Division responded to Sullivan Park, which is located adjacent to the Lawrence High School Campus, for a report of a male being assaulted. Upon arrival they encountered a juvenile male laying on the basketball court located in the park. That individual was accompanied by another juvenile male who had a fresh cut on his face.
As the two juveniles were being treated on scene by emergency medical technicians from Lawrence General Hospital both of their parents arrived on scene. Both of the juveniles were subsequently transported by ambulance to that facility.
As a result of an investigation conducted by the Lawrence Police School Resource Officer Unit five juvenile males were identified. With the assistance of the Lawrence Police Street Crimes Unit three of the juvenile males were taken into custody without incident. A fourth individual was taken into custody without incident this morning by the Lawrence Police School Resource Officer Unit. This remains an ongoing investigation, and further charges are anticipated.
Police Chief William Castro commended the Lawrence Police School Resource Officer Unit and Patrol Division for their quick response, and the subsequent investigation which led to these individuals being charged. The individuals responsible for yesterday’s incident were not students from Lawrence High School.
Based on the investigation thus far this is not believed to be a random act of violence with no further threat to public at this time.
The safety of the students of the Lawrence Public Schools continues to be of paramount importance to Mayor Brian A. DePeña, Chief William Castro, Superindent Juan Rodriguez, the members of Lawrence Police Department and the faculty, staff and leadership of the Lawrence Public Schools, as such we are committed to continue to work together with public at large to achieve this goal.