AUBURN, Wash. — Four Auburn Mountainview High School athletes are suspended and have been removed from the junior varsity football team after reports of hazing in the locker room came to light on Oct. 19, according to school officials.
Last week, school administrators were informed of “hazing activities among our football players in the locker rooms," according to Terri Herren, principal at Auburn Mountainview.
Both the Auburn Police Department (APD) and the high school are investigating the incident.
There are five victims and four potential suspects, according to Kolby Crossley, public information officer for APD. Everyone involved in the hazing incident are minors and no arrests have been made, Crossley added.
The four students are being investigated on possible assault charges, but official charges have not yet been filed, according to Crossley.
Parents were initially notified on Sunday, Oct. 22, about the incident and of the repercussions to the involved students. As a result of the suspensions, the football team canceled their final game of the season due to a lack of players, Herren said.
Another message was sent to parents and families on Oct. 26.
“We take this issue very seriously and are deeply concerned about the impacted students. Identified students who have been impacted will be offered a variety of supports,” Herren wrote to families on Thursday.
Anyone with additional information about the hazing incident is asked to contact a school administrator or the Safe Schools anonymous tip line at 855-790-9375, or the Auburn Police Department.