A Lake Central student involved in a lunchtime fight at the high school Monday has been charged with aggravated battery resulting in a serious injury, a level 3 felony, St. John Police Chief Steve Flores said Wednesday.
Police took the 16-year-old male into custody Tuesday at his residence in Merrillville and he was taken to the Lake County Juvenile Center. Flores said he was not taken into custody Monday due to the injuries he sustained. Police didn’t identify the teen.
Flores said medical treatment and clearance were required before the juvenile center would accept him into the facility.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old male victim has been released from the hospital and is recovering from injuries, Flores said. He added that although the injuries are considered serious, they are not life-threatening.
He said, according to a recent report, the victim was alert, conscious, and oriented.
Flores said no further information regarding the extent or nature of the injuries will be released at this time.
“The St. John Police Department takes incidents of this nature very seriously and emphasizes that violent behavior, especially within a school setting, will not be tolerated. The department will continue to thoroughly investigate incidents of this kind and pursue all appropriate charges when warranted,” Flores said.
Principal Erin Novak said in a letter to parents that counselors would be available to meet with students disturbed by the fight.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
