BOTHELL — An “unofficial hazing” involving King County teens has sparked a criminal investigation in Snohomish County.
The case began Monday at 10:40 p.m., when deputies went to Forsgren Park in the 23900 block Carter Road to investigate a complaint about men yelling.
Deputies found a dozen young men, 16 to 18, dressed only in shorts. Some had open wounds from being struck with “switches and other items,” Snohomish County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Brand said.
Some of the teens reportedly were bent over a log when deputies arrived. Others appeared to be hypothermic. Aid crews were called to provide treatment and parents were summoned.
Deputies identified seven teens, all under 18, as potential victims, but the boys all said they didn’t wish to cooperate with the police investigation, Brand said. They said they had been involved in a hazing for a group connected to their school in north King County.
Deputies also identified eight men, all 18, as potential suspects. No charges have been filed. Deputies are gathering information and weighing whether to forward what they find to Snohomish County prosecutors, Brand said.
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