Teens face bias intimidation charges girls allegedly urinated on at homecoming game

Two 17-year-olds are facing bias intimidation and other charges after an incident at the Lawrence High School homecoming football game on Friday evening.

News 12 Staff

Oct 22, 2019, 2:39 PM

Updated 1,739 days ago

Share:

Two 17-year-olds are facing bias intimidation and other charges after an incident at the Lawrence High School homecoming football game on Friday evening.
The charges come after four African American middle school girls claimed that they were taunted with racial slurs, threatened and possibly urinated on. Police say that they are taking statements, viewing videos and soliciting tips from the public as part of the investigation.
“The Lawrence Township Police Department is working tirelessly on this investigation,” Chief Brian Caloiaro said during a news conference Tuesday. “We're not going to stop with this investigation until all the facts are uncovered.”
The officials have not been able to confirm accounts that the four girls were urinated on. But the two 17-year-olds, whom police say are of Indian descent, are also facing lewdness charges.
Police and school officials are defending their handling of Friday night’s game. The confrontation happened behind and above the bleachers, but just yards away from where school officials and police officers were working as security.
A Facebook post by the mother of one of the girls allegedly targeted sparked a phone call from the mayor to the police chief late Friday night. The investigation began on Saturday morning.
The incident has also prompted town officials and community leaders to call out racist behavior. They say that behavior like this is unacceptable.
“How can we get this thing where the community will get involved with helping to stem situations like this?” asks community leader Fred Vereen. “Because if we don't, you know six months from now, a year from now, you're going to have the same circumstances.”
Police are reviewing videos of the incident that were posted to social media of what happened. But the superintendent of schools says that it is difficult to hear exactly what's being said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Lawrence Township Police at 609-896-1111.


More from News 12
2:10
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

3:00
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:43
Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:33
New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

0:48
Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

1:47
Police: 3 people hospitalized as bee swarm takes over Paramus neighborhood

Police: 3 people hospitalized as bee swarm takes over Paramus neighborhood