SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) — It’s not what actually happened at the homecoming dance at California High School in San Ramon, it’s what happened in the parking lot during the dance that is raising eyebrows.
San Ramon police say the vice principal was attacked by a 16-year-old visiting student and dragged by his hair from one part of the campus to another.
“It’s alarming to see students react like that to an authority figure,” parent Christine Arneson said.
Kristin Arneson has children in the San Ramon Unified School District and, like others we spoke with, was shocked and shaken by the assault.
“It’s a big deal, and on top of that, going to someone else’s homecoming is a night of celebration for those students, so it made me wonder if they were going home for not-so-good reasons in the first place,” Arneson asked. Ta.
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“This is a great area for us to live and raise our children, but I don’t think our children would behave like that in this area,” said Arlene Hartono, a parent in the area. Ta.
Addison Elridge, who graduated from California High School last year, said, “It’s really hurtful and hard to hear because all of our vice principals are so great and so wonderful people.”
Police said the 16-year-old boy was in the parking lot with another teen at about 8:45 p.m. Saturday when the vice principal approached them and told them they were not allowed to leave the dance early.
That’s when the assault occurred, police said. Both teens then left. The 16-year-old girl was later arrested at her home and charged with felony assault and kidnapping after allegedly dragging the principal by the hair across the parking lot.
Parents want justice.
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“Even if that student is 16 years old, in my opinion, they should still be old enough to know right from wrong. So how do you hold that individual accountable?” Arneson asked.
According to police, the vice principal was treated at a hospital after the incident. The teenage suspect does not attend California High School, but attends schools within the district.
We have given both the district and police the opportunity to speak on camera about this matter. Both of them refused. District officials said such dangerous behavior will not be tolerated here or at any school in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.
San Ramon Police released the following statement:
On Saturday night, around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to an assault at California High School. During the course of the investigation, our officers determined that the assistant principal contacted two boys about leaving the homecoming dance early in the school parking lot, which was not allowed. During the interaction, the 16-year-old suspect assaulted the vice principal and fled the scene with the second boy. Based on the injuries sustained by the principal, the 16-year-old suspect was arrested at his home shortly after the assault occurred and was later booked into a juvenile detention center on multiple felonies. The suspect was not enrolled at the California high school, but was a student at another high school within the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.
San Ramon Police Department detectives yesterday (Tuesday, 10/23/24) submitted the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which charged the juvenile suspect with two counts of violating Penal Code 243(d). He was charged with a felony. – Felony Assault and Penal Code 207 – Kidnapping.
***To explain the kidnapping charge in a little more detail, this particular criminal code violation was applied because during the assault, the suspect dragged the assistant principal by the hair from one location in the parking lot to another. ***
The injuries sustained by the head teacher were treated by emergency room medical staff on the night of the incident, but as far as we know, he did not remain in hospital for an extended period of time.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District released the following statement:
Dear SRVUSD staff and families,
We are writing to share information about a disturbing incident that occurred during the homecoming dance at California High School in San Ramon on Saturday. The vice principal approached two students in the parking lot, and during the interaction, one of the students assaulted the principal, and the students left the parking lot. The two students involved are not students at the California high school, but are enrolled at other SRVUSD high schools. California High School staff, families, and students have already been notified of this situation.
We want to be clear: this behavior will never be tolerated at California High School or any school in the SRVUSD. We are extremely concerned about the safety and health of our students and all staff.
The San Ramon Police Department (SRPD) responded quickly and the boy was taken into SRPD custody later that night. We will continue to fully cooperate with SRPD’s investigation. SRVUSD will also conduct a comprehensive investigation and pursue any disciplinary action to the fullest extent permitted by law. We want to be clear that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Dangerous behavior will not be tolerated at any California high school or SRVUSD school.
We are aware of this incident and hearing or reading about it may be a nuisance to our students, staff, and our community. We would like to remind you that each school has options for students to receive counseling support. We also encourage students to contact their principal if they feel they would benefit from speaking to someone.
This incident does not reflect the outstanding character and actions of students at California High School or SRVUSD as a whole. As we have shared directly with the California High community, we all care for each other and all SRVUSD sites work together to ensure that all members of our community are safe, both physically and mentally. Responsible.
The San Ramon Police Department (SRPD) is leading the investigation into this matter. If you have information you would like to share, please contact the SRPD Investigations Division at (925) 973-2700 and the school. management.
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