n Syracuse, New York, five underclassmen on the Westhill High School lacrosse team were excited when older teammates invited them to watch a rival school’s match and get dinner at McDonald’s.

After the game, while driving home, the car’s driver appeared to get lost and pulled over. Suddenly, masked attackers—armed with at least one knife and possibly a gun—emerged from a wooded area and tried to kidnap the boys. Four escaped, but the masked men captured one.

Outnumbered 11 to one, the boy had his hands tied and a pillowcase placed over his head before the assailants forced him into the trunk of a car at knifepoint. The kidnappers taunted him as they drove to another secluded, wooded area and left him on the ground—alone and fearing for his life.

Still bound and blindfolded, the boy heard the attackers return. He didn’t know if they planned to release him or kill him. Instead, they revealed it was a prank. The attackers were upperclassmen on the lacrosse team staging a hazing ritual. The entire incident was recorded on video.

The next morning, the victim’s family reported the incident to the school, as students circulated the video and rumors of the mock kidnapping sparked a social media firestorm in the community.

A school resource officer reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office, triggering an investigation.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Additional Guests

• Shari Foltz – Mother of Stone Foltz, Son Died during a hazing incident at a frat initiation at Bowling Green State University // Founder of I Am Stone Foltz Foundation
• David Bianchi – Trial lawyer at Stewart, Tilghman, Fox, Bianchi & Cain, [recognized as “America’s leading hazing lawyer”], Represented Danny Santulli’s family who was left permanently impaired after fraternity hazing incident at University of Missouri
• Barry Hutchison – Former 26-year law enforcement veteran and detective, now owner & Chief Investigator for Barry & Associates Investigative Services [located in Kansas & Missouri]

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Pixabay]