Assault during Cooper, Fridley basketball game with pipe leads to arrests | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Assault during Cooper, Fridley basketball game with pipe leads to arrests

An assault with a pipe during a high school boys’ basketball game between Robbinsdale Cooper and Fridley on Tuesday evening led to the arrest of those believed to be involved.

Robbinsdale, Fridley basketball game assault

What we know:

A statement released on Wednesday by Robbinsdale Area Schools Assistant Principal Marti Voight informed parents of the attack that occurred during a game against the Fridley Tigers.

According to officials, shortly after the game began at Cooper High School, six people entered the school and assaulted a 17-year-old Fridley player, who was on the bench, with a pipe.

School Resource Officers (SROs) who were present at the game, along with coaches, placed the gym into lockdown and moved student-athletes to safety.

The suspects, who were not students affiliated with either school, were able to exit to gym before later being arrested by the New Hope Police Department.

The player who was attacked was treated for a non-life-threatening head injury by paramedics, the district says.

Assault investigation

Dig deeper:

According to police, the assault is under investigation and will be submitted to the Hennepin County Attorney’s office for possible charges. It's not believed to be random, police have said.

Prior to five suspects being apprehended, their vehicle reportedly left the roadway, causing damage to its tire and rendering it immobile, police said.

No injuries to the five suspects - three adults men, and two juvenile men - were reported as they were taken into custody. Evidence was recovered at the scene, according to police.

District response

What's next:

In the statement provided to community members, the district says, "We are grateful for the swift actions of our SROs, coaches, athletic director, and support staff, who did an outstanding job keeping everyone calm during the situation. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for our school community."

The Source: Statements provided by Robbinsdale Area Schools and the New Hope Police Department

RobbinsdaleFridleyCrime and Public Safety