Sheriff's Office and Proctor Superintendent Speak Out About Alleged Assault
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PROCTOR - The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Proctor's Superintendent spoke out for the first time about an alleged assault over the weekend.
A 21–year–old man said he was at a party made up mostly of several Proctor students when he was beat up for being gay.
"We certainly feel bad and we don't want those types of behaviors to be condoned and we certainly don't," Proctor Public Schools Superintendent John Engelking said.
Possible charges of assault now linger over the heads of a Proctor student and graduate.
One of them faces a pending charge referred to as a "hate crime."
However, Engelking wanted to make sure the potentially hateful acts are not a part of Proctor's reputation.
"To capture the whole spirit of a city, is a little bit sad for us," Engelking said.
Engelking also met with the senior class as a whole Tuesday and reminded them that he still believes in their integrity despite the fact that events over the weekend may be have put some negative light on their community.
"These things happen, they happen outside the scope of the school day and we feel bad about it," Engelking said. "But we're proud of who our kids are and that's what we try to express to them today."
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is still collecting evidence and interviewing some of the estimated 50 people at the gravel pit party in New Independence on Saturday.
"It's the intent of this agency to fully investigate and follow through and bring this to the right and proper conclusion," St. Louis County Undersherrif Dave Phillips said.
The Sheriff's Office said the possibility of a hate crime is very rare, but things getting out of hand at underage drinking parties- especially in the spring time – are part of an unfortunate pattern.
"They're facing adult level crimes for an incident that was probably very preventable in the first place," Phillips said.
"These end of the year celebrations from prom to graduation, the after grad–parties and the pre–grad parties, we always hold our breath," Engelking said.
The 18–year–old suspect has been released on bail.
The 19– year-old who faces a potential hate crime charge, or fourth degree assault with bias, was still in custody Tuesday.
The Sheriff's Office is expected to bring recommended charges to the County Attorney by the end of the week.
