Teen Swimmer in Upper Arlington Arrested for Choking Rival into Unconsciousness

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Police in Upper Arlington have charged a 17-year-old with aggravated assault and strangulation following an alleged incident that sent a teammate to the hospital.

The purported assault occurred at Upper Arlington High School on December 11. A police report acquired through public records requests indicated that officers responded to the school after a 911 call shortly before 4 p.m.

A caller informed the 911 dispatcher that an individual in the locker room “collapsed, struck their head,” and was bleeding from their mouth. The caller stated that the person might have lost consciousness momentarily but was now awake and breathing.

The police report stated that the student sustained a significant laceration, was unconscious, lost teeth, exhibited apparent broken bones, and possibly suffered internal injuries.

Administrators, including principal Andrew Therado and athletic director Spencer Smith, communicated a statement from Coach Luke Landis to officials regarding what he had learned after conversing with the alleged offender.

The 17-year-old reportedly shared with the coach that he and his teammate were engaged in the “snail game,” which involved pretend fist bumps. The victim lost and declined some unspecified repercussions, prompting the suspect to remove his belt and snap it at the victim, as stated in the report.

“Hit me with it; you won’t,” the victim allegedly challenged.

When the suspect snapped the belt again, the victim grabbed it, and the suspect then placed him in a headlock. The victim retaliated with the belt he had caught earlier, but the suspect purportedly tightened his hold, leading the victim to lose consciousness.

The victim fell to the floor and hit his face, according to the report. Staff members were in the lifeguard office at the time and noticed when they observed students running and yelling for assistance.

Later sections of the report were obscured, but detectives subsequently visited the suspect’s residence and apprehended him for aggravated assault and strangulation.

WSYX attempted, without success, to reach out to the district for a statement regarding the incident.