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Three assaults injure teachers, close park
(by Sue Reid - April 02, 2009)
Three assaults injure teachers, close park
By SUE REID
Solon police responded to three reported assaults within two days last week. One of them resulted in the temporary closure of the skate park at Solon Community Park, and the others caused injuries to two school personnel.
In the first incident on March 26, police were called to Solon Middle School, 6835 SOM Center Road, at 10:20 a.m., when a school employee reported an attack by a 12-year-old boy.
The teacher's aide told police that, while she was in the principal's office, she heard noise in a conference room. When she walked into the room, she said, she was charged and pushed to the floor. She said landed on her back and hurt her right arm.
Police said parents of the 12-year-old refused to cooperate with the investigation, and the boy will be charged with assault through juvenile court. It could be considered a felony, police said, but it wasn't clear whether a teacher's aide falls under the law that applies to assaults on teachers.
The next day, March 27, police responded to Solon High School, 33600 Inwood Road, at 3:16 p.m. on a report of a fight in progress. While en route, police were advised that a teacher had been knocked to the ground and was unconscious.
Upon arrival, police said, they found the school's athletic director, Mark McGuire, on the ground, but he had regained consciousness. He was transported by the Solon rescue squad to Hillcrest Hospital for treatment.
According to the report, Mr. McGuire and another teacher tried to break up a fight involving two students. They were escorting the two students to the front of the school when the fight was reinitiated, police said, and Mr. McGuire was struck in the back of the head.
As the students reached the front patio of the school, according to the report, fighting began for a third time.
Two boys were arrested and taken to the Solon Police Department.
A 16-year-old was taken to the juvenile detention center, police said, and faces a felony assault charge, because the incident involved a teacher, and a charge of inducing panic, a misdemeanor. A 15-year-old was released to his mother and faces charges in juvenile court of misdemeanor assault and inducing panic.
Meanwhile, another fight was reported in progress at 3:38 p.m. at the Solon Community Park, 6679 SOM Center Road.
Police found four males identified by witnesses as probable victims and two males identified as aggressors. One victim had a visible bruise over his eye that was swelling, police said, and another complained of punches to the jaw and back of head. The Solon rescue squad was called to provide treatment.
Two Solon residents, ages 16 and 17, were arrested and taken to the police department, where they were released to their mother. They were to be charged in juvenile court with one misdemeanor count of assault and one misdemeanor count of inducing panic, police said.
Following those arrests, the skate park was temporarily closed. Signs to that effect remained posted Tuesday, and yellow caution tape was wrapped around the area to prevent entry, police said.
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