Police received a statement that two students were playing the “snail” game, which involves giving a fake fist bump, when the victim “got caught.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 17-year-old student on the swim team at Upper Arlington High School was charged with the assault and strangulation of another student-athlete earlier this month, according to a police report.
On Dec. 11, officers with the Upper Arlington Police Division were alerted that a student was assaulted in the high school locker room.
Police received a statement that two students were playing the “snail” game, which involves giving a fake fist bump, when the victim “got caught.”
The suspect reportedly told one of his coaches that the other student would have to comply with the consequences of losing the game, or what they called “getting snailed.”
The victim did not comply, and the suspect allegedly removed his belt and snapped it toward the victim.
According to the narrative, the victim grabbed the belt and the suspect put him in a headlock. The victim then allegedly started swinging the belt toward the suspect, hitting him twice, and the suspect tightened his hold, causing the victim to lose consciousness.
When the suspect let go, the victim fell to the ground, hitting his face and sustaining serious injuries, according to the report.
The coach told officers that he was alerted to the incident in the locker room by several students who were “screaming for help.” When he entered the locker room, he said he found the victim on the ground with blood coming from his face, according to the report.
The injured student was taken to the emergency room at Riverside Methodist Hospital, according to a city spokesperson. The police report says the student was unconscious, lost teeth and also suffered a “severe laceration.”
The suspect was arrested and charged with strangulation and felonious assault.
Upper Arlington Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt said, “Federal and state privacy laws prohibit school districts from providing specific information regarding students, but I can share that the situation is being thoroughly investigated and the consequences in our student code of conduct will apply.”
The Upper Arlington Police Division is handling the investigation.