Managing Editor

Oct. 4, 2000 10 PM

As much as $3,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons involved in an alleged attack of a student at Charles Henderson High School.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sept. 14, when a student was in the parking area of the school around 2:30 p.m. The attack left the victim battered and shaken up, but otherwise in good condition. She returned to school within a few days of the attack.

Troy Police are investigating the case, and reward money has been raised through private contributions and through the SAVE program, a fledgling program that is being managed through the 12th Judicial Circuit and District Attorney Mark Fuller.

"This is an effort by a diverse group of people to see to it that the person or persons who committed this attack are caught and prosecuted," said Chief Anthony Everage with the Troy Police Department. "We are dedicating our resources to see to it that we can bring this individual or these individuals to justice. We appreciate how the community came together to work toward this noble goal of ensuring the safety of our school students."

The reward has not been posted until now, Everage said, because he feels there are people who have had time to hear of the attack and he thinks there is information out there as to who could have done this.

"We wanted to put some time behind us and allow the word of the attack to get around," he said. "I have no doubt that someone out there can help us in this investigation."

Sgt. Benny Scarbrough, public information officer for the Troy Police Department said details of the attack are not being disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

"We do not want to put that information out there," he said. "Instead, we want to be able to determine if any tips regarding the attack are accurate through allowing members of the community to let us know what they may have seen or heard."

In the days following the attack, a COPS grant was approved to put an officer on the campus of CHHS. The grant application had been sent in prior to the attack, but had not been approved. Coincidentally, the grant was approved following the attack and the funds from it will go toward putting an officer on campus.

"There was no cause/effect relationship," Scarbrough said. "Still, we are glad to have the opportunity to beef up security at our city schools."

The name of the victim is not being reported due to the victim’s juvenile status and family requests stemming from safety concerns.

"We encourage anyone with information in this case to come forward," Everage said. "This attack was not only a senseless act against a student, but it stands as an attack on the safety of our children in a learning environment. We take this very seriously."

Everage said the community’s efforts deserve applause.

"The school system has worked with us in every way possible and local citizens have come forward with funds to help reward those who have information about this case," he said. "This is wonderful example of how people can work together, though we regret the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this."

Anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons involved in the attack will be eligible for the $3,000 reward.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call TPD’s secret witness line at 566-5555 or residents can also call TPD’s main line at 566-0500.

"Catching the culprit or culprits is a top priority for us," Everage said. "We need the community’s help to put an end to this matter and to breathe easier knowing that anyone who would commit an act like this on a school campus during the middle of the day is behind bars."