Eleven high school students from Syracuse are facing legal charges following an extreme hazing incident involving the armed abduction of younger lacrosse team members. While the suspects are mostly minors, at least one is over 18, and they face misdemeanor charges of unlawful imprisonment, with potential for more severe charges if they had not surrendered promptly. The legal outcomes will vary based on each individual's age and culpability, with younger offenders eligible for Youthful Offender Status, which offers leniency and seals criminal records. The incident, perceived as amusing by some suspects, involved tricking younger players into believing they were being kidnapped, causing significant distress. The school's lacrosse season has been canceled, and the district is committed to addressing the issue while ensuring student safety and adherence to their Code of Conduct.

Eleven Syracuse high school students are charged with extreme hazing, involving the staged armed abduction of younger lacrosse team members, which the district attorney described as exceeding typical hazing practices.

The suspects, mostly minors, face misdemeanor charges for unlawful imprisonment; their legal consequences will depend on age and culpability with the possibility of facing felony kidnapping charges if they hadn't turned themselves in promptly.

New York law provides leniency for offenders aged 19 and under through Youthful Offender Status, which can seal their criminal records and offer rehabilitation-focused punishments rather than severe penalties.

During the incident, the younger players were misled into believing they were being taken to a fast food outlet but were instead subjected to a mock abduction involving fake weapons, causing them significant distress.

The Westhill High School's varsity lacrosse season was canceled following the incident amid concerns about future matches, and the school district emphasized its commitment to addressing such issues and ensuring student safety.

The legal proceedings will consider the offenders' ages, maturity, and the severity of the offense, with an emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment for younger suspects, although the final decision rests with the judge.

The community is shocked by the event, and the district attorney stressed the seriousness of the offense, noting that some suspects appeared to find the situation amusing, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the victims.