Saugus High School sleepover reportedly turned into rowdy affair

SAUGUS, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A sleepover, which has become an annual tradition for seniors at Saugus High School, turned chaotic after a student was arrested and another student was struck by a police cruiser, police said.

According to the Daily Item, the sleepover was held on the grounds of the high school the night of May 23. While the event is not a school-sanctioned event, it has become a tradition over the years and approximately 50 to 75 seniors camped out that night, police told the newspaper.

One senior told the Daily Item the event was going smoothly until some juniors arrived and went to the top of the school where they started throwing water balloons, eggs, trash, and other items. Some seniors reportedly retaliated and started throwing rocks.

Police said they arrested Ishmael Minaya and have charged him with malicious damage to a motor vehicle after another student's car was damaged.

Another senior told police that she had been hit from behind by a police cruiser. She was knocked to the ground and suffered superficial cuts to her chin, back and hands and initially denied medical treatment. Following the incident, the senior went to the hospital, and it was confirmed she did not break any bones or suffer any internal damages, reports the Daily Item.

The Assistant Saugus Police Chief told the newspaper the officer was traveling at a "very, very low" rate of speed when he hit the student at about 11:30 p.m. He said the senior stepped out in front of the cruiser and lost balance causing her to fall.

The assistant police chief says this year was the first time any sort of incident was reported during the sleepover.

Several school officials, including the principal, were aware of the incident, but as of Friday night, the superintendent had not spoken to the school committee chairman, reports Daily Item.

Minaya was not arraigned Friday, but will be considered for an alternative program because he is a first time, non-violent offender.

If Minaya is not eligible, he will be arraigned June 28.

For more information: The Daily Item

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