SHOW LOW, Ariz. — A student is facing criminal charges after an alleged assault was reported after a basketball game at Show Low Junior High.
The incident on the night of Feb. 20 involved members of a visiting team from Holbrook Junior High and a spectator who had attended the game, school officials said.
The Holbrook players allegedly encountered "hateful and harassing actions" following the Show Low game that resulted in the Show Low Police Department getting involved, according to a letter from the Holbrook Junior High principal.
According to police, a Show Low student allegedly punched a Holbrook student in the face, causing his nose to bleed. The Show Low student was identified and questioned the following morning, claiming the fight was the result of "racial slurs" and "derogatory words" getting exchanged between the two parties.
Police said the juvenile student is now facing charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
In the letter sent out to parents, the Holbrook principal told parents that students would not be returning to Show Low "anytime soon" and the school will seek to play any future games in a "neutral location."
In response to an inquiry from 12News about the incident, the superintendent of the Holbrook Unified School District said some information cannot be disclosed since juveniles were involved but indicated that the "incident is being fully investigated by school officials and law enforcement."
The Show Low Unified School District described the situation as an "isolated incident" involving a single spectator and suggested that the school district was cooperating with police to conduct a "thorough investigation."
"SLUSD maintains the utmost respect for opposing teams and their fans," the district wrote in a statement.
<< This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. Stay with 12News for the latest.
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