Students protest WA school's response to assault that left 15-year-old Jr ROTC cadet with brain injury, 16-year-old student arrested

Parents, students, and community members are voicing concern after a Nov. 20 incident at South Kitsap High School left a 15-year-old sophomore hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury. The incident prompted a student walkout in protest of the school’s handling of the emergency.

According to Port Orchard Police Chief Matt Brown, officers arrested a 16-year-old boy after he allegedly intentionally pushed a metal stanchion weighing roughly 16 to 20 pounds over a railing on the top floor of the school onto those below. The stanchion fell approximately 16 feet and struck two students who were sitting below. A 15-year-old girl who is a Navy Junior ROTC cadet suffered head injuries requiring stitches.

She was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A 15-year-old boy was also struck and he called 911. A GoFundMe created to support the girl’s family states that the TBI “could alter her life forever.”

Superintendent Tim Winter said that only the injured students and those on the top floor witnessed the actual incident in the stairwell. The first staff contact occurred when one victim, while on the phone with 911, walked toward the health room. Staff immediately assisted, Winter said, and an assistant principal responded as well.

“We’re aware of concerns that the school seemed ‘more concerned about the student who assaulted the other students versus the victims,’ but our priority is really the well-being of the victims, and we did our best to take care of them,” Winter said. He emphasized that the district fully supported the suspect’s arrest.

Police arrested the 16-year-old at the school, a decision that drew criticism from some parents who felt the arrest should not have occurred in view of other students. Chief Brown previously issued a statement apologizing for the visibility of the arrest and acknowledged that his wording around the incident “was poorly chosen.” No officers were disciplined, though Brown said his department routinely reviews incidents to identify improvements.

Both the South Kitsap School District and Port Orchard Police maintain that the situation was handled appropriately, but admitted communication with families could have been clearer in the aftermath.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported that approximately 100 students walked out of class to protest what they described as inadequate communication and concern for student safety. 
While the school stressed that the walkout was not a district-sponsored activity, administrators acknowledged the students’ desire to show support for their injured peers.

The walkout followed widespread rumors that additional violence might occur during the demonstration. Out of caution, district security coordinated with Port Orchard Police to monitor the event. The protest was peaceful.

Parents speaking on The Ari Hoffman Show on 570 KVI expressed frustration that South Kitsap High School has not had a School Resource Officer (SRO) since the program was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic following the George Floyd riots. They argued that the absence of a dedicated, sworn officer on campus has contributed to increasing student violence.

According to the parents, the school currently employs security staff but no deputized law enforcement. The mayor and police chief confirmed that reinstating an SRO is included in the city’s 2027 plan.

In a letter sent to families after the incident obtained by Hoffman, Principal Super-Greene reiterated that the school community “cares deeply for the students who were hurt” and is reviewing the situation “from start to finish.”

She said internal safety protocols were followed, staff acted with “care and urgency,” and law enforcement “took the appropriate action by removing the student who caused the harm from campus.” The principal encouraged families to reach out with questions and acknowledged that events like this “can leave people feeling unsettled.”