The Herndon Police Department reported Jan. 20 that they have located and charged four juveniles in connection with the Jan. 14 Elden Street attack of two Herndon teenagers.
Two 17-year-old males and one 16-year-old male were identified and charged by the police with malicious wounding. A fourth 17-year-old male was charged with malicious wounding and simple assault. All of the juveniles were from the Herndon area.
In a Jan. 18 letter sent home to Herndon High School parents and guardians, new principal Frances Ivey clarified for parents the baseball bat assault did not occur on school grounds, but did involve five students from HHS.
"We have, in the past, provided mediation to some of the students who were involved in this incident, and we are taking additional safety and security precautions and working closely with students to provide further mediation and counseling sessions as needed," she said in the letter.
Ivey asked for support from the school's community as the case is further investigated to maintain a safe school environment, requesting that parents "please discuss and impress on your children that violence is never a way to resolve conflicts or differences. Encourage your children to talk to responsible adults in school and at home, and report any information they might hear about potential arguments or disturbances."
At 5:03 p.m., Jan. 14, the Herndon Police responded to a malicious wounding call that occurred at the 1000 block of Elden Street — near the end of the Dulles Park shopping center on the sidewalk at Alabama Drive.
According to the police report, a 17-year old male and a 16-year old male, both of Herndon, were confronted and assaulted by a group of black males. One of the subjects struck the 17-year-old male with a baseball bat several times causing him to sustain major head injuries. He was airlifted to a local hospital.
The 16-year-old male who was assaulted fled the scene and was later transported to a local hospital by rescue personnel for head and upper torso injuries.
According to police after the incident a 16-year-old Herndon male, who allegedly struck the 17-year-old victim, was found and charged in the case. He was arrested and transported to juvenile intake.
The 17-year-old victim is still in critical condition and the 16-year-old victim was released after a brief observation period.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Herndon Police at 703-435-6846.