VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Four teenagers are facing charges in connection to an assault that left a girl injured at Kempsville High School last Tuesday, police say.
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Police say on October 22, a School Resource Officer with Virginia Beach Police Department was made aware of a physical altercation that happened on school grounds.
A 17-year-old girl was hurt in the altercation, according to police. The injured girl was a student at Kempsville High and the people who assaulted her were students from a different school, according to a message sent to the Kempsville High School community from Principal Melissa George.
A few days later on October 25, four suspects were identified and arrested, police say.
Police say the following women, all 18 years old, are charged with conspiracy to commit trespassing on school property and assault by mob: Ashlynn James from Virginia Beach, Jalaaiyah Rucker from Norfolk, and Kina Pass-Cutler from Norfolk. A 17-year-old girl is also facing those charges.
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The three 18-year-olds are also charged with trespassing and James and Rucker are facing simple assault charges, police added.
Police did not share information on the nature of the assault or the condition of the injured girl.
Principal George's message sent to the Kempsville High School community following the assault is as follows:
Kempsville High School families and staff,
I want to make you aware of an incident that occurred at our school involving students from outside our school community. These individuals engaged in an assault on one of our students. Please know that we take the safety and security of our students and staff seriously, and we immediately contacted a school resource officer.
Working in partnership with our Office of Security and Emergency Management, we have extensively reviewed our security procedures and made necessary adjustments. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students.
I am requesting that you please remind your child to immediately notify an adult if they have information that could impact the safety and security of our school. Essentially, if they see or hear something, they need to say something to a trusted adult. If you or your child have any concerns or need additional support, please contact me or a member of my administrative team.
Thank you for your trust and partnership as we work together to keep our school a safe place for everyone.
Sincerely,
Melissa George,
Kempsville High School Principal
