Football

Football Team Hazing Incident Didn't Involve Any Sex Crimes: Mira Mesa High School Principal

Parents and students said they were worried about retaliation for students who reveal details to investigators

The principal of Mira Mesa High School sent a letter to parents Friday confirming that the San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes Unit's investigation into an alleged hazing incident involving football players found that no sex crimes were committed.

Principal Jeff Sabins first notified the school community of the alleged incident with two letters sent out Wednesday.

The first outlined the allegations but didn’t provide any details because of laws protecting students' privacy.

“I have just learned about an alleged incident involving several of our JV football players,” Sabins said. “As a result of this incident, I have canceled the combined freshman and JV game scheduled for tomorrow, October 4th at University City High School.”

Rumors of what actually happened were circulating on campus after students were made aware of the investigation.

“There were a lot of rumors saying they were touching each other inappropriately," student Enzo Onevathana told NBC 7. “Everybody was disgusted by what happened. Everybody was talking about it. People laughed about it, and others were just kind of weirded out by what happened."

Another student told NBC 7 he doesn't want to go to Mira Mesa High School anymore.

"I don't want to go to this school after this," Xavier Amaro said. "Because I don't know if it could happen to me or anyone else that I know."

The second email informed parents of a forum hosted on campus Thursday evening where school community members expressed concerns regarding the alleged incident to coaches and school administrators.

Media wasn't allowed in the forum, but parents who attended told NBC 7 no additional details of the alleged incident were revealed.

"I talked to my grandson about it, and what information he gave me did concern me," Paulette Towne said. Her grandson is on the football team. "I felt a little more comfortable knowing that there was going to be more supervision, especially in the locker rooms."

Townes said she's worried about a culture of retaliation impacting students who reveal details to school and police investigators.

"Retaliation. I really worry about that because, you know, if some kid gets [singled out] for saying anything or volunteering any information, I just really worry about retaliation," she said.

Sabins said Friday that the school and police will continue to investigate the incident and said that students involved will be disciplined according to district protocol.

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