Police investigate possible hazing

Several students have been suspended and St. George police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving members of Heber City's Wasatch High School baseball team.

The incident happened Friday night at a Best Western motel at 316 E. St. George Blvd., where team members were staying while they participated in a baseball tournament. Police said a half-dozen players — five 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old — "dogpiled" on six others in a hazing ritual.

"Six teens roughed up six other teens," said St. George Police Sgt. Craig Harding." There was some incidental sexual contact."

Investigators described the sexual contact as "incidental groping" and are unsure if it went any further than that. All the juveniles were fully clothed, police said. Officers were in Heber on Monday, questioning 13 people who were involved or knew of the alleged hazing. However, police said, the so-called victims did not feel victimized.

"They've got team unity, they want to be part of the team and be friends with each other," Harding said. "They don't feel they've been intimidated in any way. We can't exactly classify them as victims."

Police became aware of the incident after rumors spread through Wasatch High School. Someone reported it to a school resource officer, who called St. George Police. Harding said Tuesday the case had been referred to the Washington County Attorney's Office for a decision about any possible charges.

Wasatch High School was conducting its own investigation Tuesday. Wasatch County School District Superintendent Terry Shoemaker said several students had already been suspended, but refused to say how many.

"It's just a good idea to get them away from school where we can continue to conduct the full investigation process including meeting with them," he said Tuesday. "It's too soon to say what exact actions will be taken . . . but if the allegations prove to be founded, other serious actions will take place."

Shoemaker said he was not aware if the school has had any hazing problems in the past, but said the district plans to explore the issue to see how future incidents can be prevented.

"We're going to look into it and see if this is a pattern we're not aware of," he said. "If so, we want to do something about that."