What parents say began as a senior prank at a Long Island high school ended in a student being violently taken down by a school security guard and placed in what some are calling a chokehold.
Parents tell NBC 4 New York that seniors at Longwood High School in Middle Island had planned to run out of the school and play tag outside as part of their senior prank, but an argument started between administrators and some students.
Video of the scuffle appears to show a teenager wrestled to the ground by a school security guard as other students scream for the guard to let go. Some said the guard placed the student in a chokehold. It wasn't immediately clear what exactly sparked the violent confrontation.
The teen who shot the video declined to comment.
Some Middle Island residents said they believe the security guard mishandled the situation.
“The security guards were out of control, said one woman who identified herself as Julie. “They got their uniforms on, they puff up their chest, they think they’re all that and they want to do anything they can.”
Meanwhile, others believe the guard was merely doing his job in defusing the confrontation.
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“I think the school actually did the right thing,” said resident Cristina Ramirez. “The security had to do whatever it takes to take control of the situation.”
The school district says the senior prank got out of control and claims the students were responsible for the tussle.
“Longwood has a closed campus policy and students were urged not to leave the building by security and administration,” said a statement released by the school. “A disturbance ensued after students were insubordinate and uncooperative.”
The district has not said whether it took disciplinary action against the students seen in the video.
