By MARIA D. JAMES — The City of Hyattsville Police Department (HCPD) says it will increase its presence at Northwestern High School (NHS) following a gang-related incident at the school on Oct. 9.
In a press release issued by police, on Oct. 9 at approximately 10:04 a.m. the HCPD Resource Officer assigned to the high school was notified of an altercation between multiple students in a stairwell of the school. The officer and school security staff reponded to the area and found two students suffering with minor lacerations. Medical assistance was requested for both students who were taken to local hospitals for treatment and were released.
According to police, the preliminary investigation determined that an altercation occured between a 16-year-old student who has self-identified as a member of MS-13 gang and a 19-year-old who has self-identified as a member of the 18th Street gang. During the altercation the member of the MS-13 gang pulled out a sharp object and swung at the 18th Street gang member. The student who used the sharp object is considered a suspect and is currently in police custody. Two other students, ages 14 and 15, who participated in the incident, are also in police custody. Police are not releasing the identities of the three students because they are all juveniles. Criminal charges are pending for all three. There are no suspects outstanding at this time.
This investigation is ongoing. HCPD asks anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Criminal Investigation Section at 301.985.5060.
