2 St. Helena Teens Hospitalized After Assault At Homecoming Game

ST. HELENA, CA — Two teenagers were hospitalized, one with serious injuries, after a verbal altercation escalated into violence at a St. Helena High School homecoming football game on Friday, authorities said.

Around 8:20 p.m., a violent altercation was reported. After a brief foot pursuit, police took a 13-year-old suspect into custody. Officers also found a 15-year-old boy who was unable to stand. A witness told police he was the victim of an assault, the St. Helena Police Department said in a statement.

Both the suspect and the victim, both minors, were taken to the hospital for their injuries. The parents of all involved parties were contacted and called to the hospital, police said.

The suspect, who is not a student of St. Helena Unified School District, was released from the hospital and booked into juvenile hall for felony assault and resisting arrest, police said. His hearing will be held on Monday.

The 15-year-old was still hospitalized as of Saturday with "very serious" injuries.

“On behalf of the City of St. Helena, I want to express my heart felt concern for the seriously injured student and also express our care for his family,” said St. Helena Mayor Geoff Ellsworth.

“I appreciate the efforts of the St. Helena law enforcement and medical responders who were able to assist quickly. It was an unfortunate incident that dimmed an otherwise festive evening for our students and families,” said Superintendent Ruben Aurelio of the St. Helena Unified School District.

Anyone who may have witnessed the assault was urged to call the department at 707-967-2850.