"Violence and the glorification of it is never acceptable in our schools. "

About half an hour ago, Matt Dimmick informed me an EPD officer had stopped by to get a copy of the video.

I had emailed Suprintendent Fred Van Vleck and EPD Chief Andy Mills. A parent had also tagged Chief Mills on Facebook.


Around the same time, Matt Dimmick let me know that an EPD officer had stopped by, Chief Mills posted this in Facebook:

"To all of our parents, teachers and most importantly students of Zane; EPD is aware of the assault video taped. A report was taken that day by patrol.  Violence and the glorification of it is never acceptable in our schools.  The Superintendent and I have spoken on the phone about this and both are taking it very seriously.  Thanks for the concern for our children."

EPD Press Release:

In response to a video posted on social media of an assault on the campus of Zane Middle School, the Eureka Police Department issues the following press release.

On May 19, 2017 at approximately 4:02 p.m., an officer with the Eureka Police Department responded to the St. Joseph Hospital emergency department to meet with a juvenile assault victim and her grandmother. The officer learned that the victim was assaulted on the campus of Zane Middle School.  The officer opened an investigation into the assault.

On Saturday, May 20^th, the investigating officer learned there was a video recording of the incident and requested a copy to be retained as evidence.  On Sunday, May 21^st, a video of the incident was posted on a social media site.  EPD Command Staff and the investigating officer have seen the video and have saved a copy as evidence.

The investigating officer has been in contact with the victim and her Grandmother each day since the incident and we will continue to communicate with them throughout the investigation.

All violence in our society is unacceptable.  EPD is actively investigating this incident and will be working with the school on Monday to secure a positive identification of the other involved party.  Eureka City Schools is aware of the incident and we will update them on the status of the investigation as it progresses.

We understand this video has outraged many in our community and rightfully so.  It is vital that parents speak to their children about bullying and violence in our schools. These acts are not tolerated and take away from the learning environment and therefore have no place in our schools. Additionally, the videotaping and sharing of such incidents, with anyone other than the police, exploits the incidents and further victimize those involved.

If anyone has any information on this incident, to include the identity of the person who filmed it, please contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4044.