MENTOR, Ohio — Superintendent Bill Porter confirms Mentor High School will reopen on Monday following Friday's closure due to "a threat of potential violence."
The closure and threats (which do not appear to be credible) came in the wake of a violent attack by one female student against another Thursday morning. Porter called the incident "brutal" and "egregious," pledging that it will be dealt with "in the most severe way possible":
"Like we do during tough times in Mentor, we rally. I challenge our students, with help from our staff and parents, to stand together again to make sure our school represents the best of who we are. The events of this past week will not define us."
Police say there are rumors the assault is related to an incident that took place last Friday at the home football game against Medina, but nothing has been confirmed at this time. The victim—whose family declined comment when reached by 3News—is still recovering, while the 17-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with felonious assault.
Additionally, authorities are also investigating the person who filmed the attack, who appears to have had knowledge it was going to take place.
"There may be others who knew it was going to happen," Mentor Police Captain Mike Majernik said, adding that students shouldn't be sharing the video. "When kids are young, they don't know, but you could be complicit in it."
Porter says there will be extra law enforcement and administrators at the school Monday "and the days beyond." School activities will continue as scheduled through the weekend, including Friday's football game at Solon.
Watch Mark Naymik's earlier report in the player below:
