By Pepper Fisher
(This story has been updated after investigators with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office report that video evidence is, so far, inconclusive as to whether activity that occurred on the bus can be classified as sexual assault)
FORKS, WASH. – We’re getting reports of a disturbing incident that happened on a school bus involving the Forks High School football team. The incident was so serious that school officials cancelled the final 2 games of the season, are letting very little information out to the community, and have hired outside counsel to investigate.
Except for a brief discussion with Brian King, Chief Criminal Deputy with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, our information is comes from sources who wish to remain anonymous.
King could only tell us that they were looking into what may be found to be criminal conduct, and who it was that referred the case.
“We’re conducting an investigation into the conduct of several individuals on a Forks High School football bus. The Sheriff’s Office, on the criminal side, is the lead in the investigation, and then the school is conducting a parallel administrative investigation. And the conduct was brought to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office by the Superintendent out in Forks.”
The incident happened on the way home from the football game the team played in Oak Harbor on October 8. In what sounds like a hazing that went too far, we’re told that at least one player was assaulted by multiple teammates. We’re told there is video evidence from a surveillance camera mounted on the bus that shows that the adults on the bus did little or nothing to stop the attack from happening.
District Superintendent Diana Reaume contacted KONP Friday afternoon and shared the following, part of which is an email that was sent to players, cheerleaders, their parents and district staff;
“You may have heard or read that the District cancelled the last two scheduled Spartan Football
games for the regular 2022 season. First and foremost, it is the District’s number one priority to
ensure that students are safe and protected. The District is able to comment on general aspects of
the situation, but cannot speak to specific information, which would interfere with any
confidentiality guidelines.
The District learned of an alleged hazing incident at the October 8th football event on or about
October 14th. Initial information regarding the incident and review of bus video identified a
potential number players’ involvement. As a result, the District cancelled the remainder of the
season’s games, one away game and one home game.
The District informed players, cheerleaders and their parents, as well as district staff of the
following message: “The District has preliminary information regarding an incident at a football
event on October 8th, which involves a substantial number of players. Due to this we are cancelling
tonight’s game. The District will not comment further on this matter.” A similar message was sent
out to the football players, cheerleaders and their parents, regarding the last home game which was
to be played this past Thursday.
Due to the potential seriousness of the event, the District brought in a third-party investigator to
look into the specifics of alleged hazing by players on the bus. The District is working through
procedures and guidelines, and has cancelled the remainder of the season.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation into what may be found to
be criminal conduct, while the school is conducting a parallel administrative investigation.”
Superintendent Reaume did not dispute anything in our news story.