By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
Guns were confiscated and arrests made at the Groveport Madison vs. Canal Winchester football game on Aug. 18 in Canal Winchester.
At the game, Madison Township Police officers intervened when a fight among three juvenile spectators broke out leading to the recovery of three modified firearms and four individuals charged.
Madison Township Police Chief Gary York said, “The fight started in the stands by pushing, not punching.”
Groveport Police Chief Casey Adams said it is his understanding that the fight began on the Groveport Madison side of the stadium.
A 17-year-old was charged with menacing and disorderly conduct; two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old were charged with carrying a concealed weapon and conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone.
According to York, none of the suspects are current Canal Winchester or Groveport Madison high school students and were from the Columbus area.
York said all the confiscated firearms had switches on them that allowed them to become fully automatic. None of the guns were fired and there were no injuries.
“MTPD had eight officers assigned for the security detail on this event, and because of their swift response, there were no shots fired and no injuries sustained,” said York. “What could have ended in tragedy, was redirected to peace and justice because of the efforts of these law enforcement professionals working in unison with school staff, with the support of neighboring agencies who responded to the officer in trouble call including Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Groveport Police, and Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, with follow up investigatory efforts made by Franklin County Detective Bureau. Our primary focus through our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, first responders, and our collaborations with both school districts is to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and spectators.”
The guns
York said the following guns were confiscated from the suspects:
•A Glock 19 was removed with one round in the chamber and a fully loaded extended 33 round magazine.
“A school administrator notified School Resource Officer Mallory and School Resource Officer Schwotzer once the suspect was in custody and after the fight that he may have a firearm,” said York. “Officers located it in the pants leg. the suspect was attempting to hold his legs together.”
•A Glock 19 was removed with one round in the chamber with a fully loaded magazine.
“A school administrator notified School Resource Officer Schwotzer of the suspect’s involvement,” said York. “He was carrying a shoulder bag. Schwotzer attempted to take control of the suspect and the shoulder bag, the suspect dropped the shoulder bag and ran. Inside the bag was the firearm. the suspect was caught by Officer Jackson and a school administrator.”
•A Glock 45 was removed with one round in the chamber with a fully loaded magazine
“A school administrator advised of one suspect’s association with one another,” said York. “The suspect was patted down and inside his waistband was the firearm.”
Future safety
When asked why the fight occurred, York said the matter is under investigation.
York said there is not a “simple, straightforward answer as to why people choose to engage in violence” nor why these kinds of disturbances continue to happen at Groveport Madison school events.
“It is disappointing that people are choosing to engage in these acts as spectators of high school athletic events,” said York. “While rivalry games such as Groveport Madison vs. Canal Winchester brings a lot of adrenaline to the athletes and fans, these events are meant to highlight the students and not be a place for violence.”
When asked what steps can be taken at future Groveport Madison school events to ensure safety, York said, “The Groveport Madison School District recently implemented weapon detection systems at the high school which will also be used during home sporting events.”
York said this is the second year of Madison Township Police handling the security for the Canal Winchester High School home sporting events.
“Part of the security planning for this year’s Groveport Madison game was to move the start time to 6 p.m., in addition, extra officers were added including two from Groveport Police, the Groveport Madison High School SRO and his supervisor, to compliment the six Madison Township Police officers. The idea was that they would be able to assist Madison Township Police in identifying current or former Groveport Madison students that could potentially become an issue at the game.”
He said there was a response plan in place that included two Groveport Police officers and six Madison Township officers.
“On Thursday just before the game, I was informed that GPD officers would not be able to participate due to bureaucratic concerns,” said York. “Hopefully, we can work to resolve this and better work across agency lines. Groveport Police officers did respond when an officer in trouble call went out.”
Groveport Police Chief Casey Adams said the game took place outside of the Groveport Police jurisdiction and its officers would have had to have been specially sworn in to do special duty. He said his department had to be make sure it was legally covered to take enforcement action if necessary and those issues could not be worked out before the game.
He said Groveport Police officers did respond when needed as mutual aid when the officer in trouble call went out.
York said Madison Township was able to cover those two positions with other Madison officers, Madison Township had a total of eight officers assigned to the detail. Fairfield County had one deputy from their Community Watch.
“Our primary focus through our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, first responders, and our collaborations with both school districts is to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and spectators,” said York. “I want to thank the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Groveport Police, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office for their response to our request for assistance under mutual aid with an officer in trouble call that was aired by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Radio Room. I also want to thank Chief Deputy Minard and the Detective Bureau with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.”
Groveport Madison response
“The individuals arrested are not students at either school,” said Groveport Madison Schools Superintendent Jamie Grube. “It is both unacceptable and alarming for anyone to bring weapons to a high school football game; the safety of the students, staff, and spectators is our top priority. Additional officers quickly responded to the stadium and determined it would be safe to finish the game and then make sure all attendees left the stadium immediately when the game was over. Administrators from both schools and officers from Madison Township Police Department, Groveport Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office ensured the safety of all in attendance as crowds left the game.”
Grube said the incident is “both scary and frustrating.”
“Our students deserve to attend games with their friends and make memories without fearing for their safety,” said Grube. “Groveport Madison Schools and Canal Winchester Schools condemn the actions of the few individuals who created this disturbance and showed incomprehensible disregard for the safety of our school communities.”
Grube thanked the police for their assistance, bravery, and response to ensure the safety of students, families, staff, and communities.
“Over the past month, officers from Madison Township Police, Groveport Police, and Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office have collaborated with Canal Winchester and Groveport Madison administrators to proactively plan for the safety of our teams and fans at tonight’s game,” said Grube. “Their commitment to putting safety measures in place before the game and quick execution of the safety response plan ensured that no one was injured during tonight’s game.”
He said safety is a top priority.
“Just as we have over the last year, we plan to continue to work together to make sure our students have the opportunity to safely enjoy their high school experiences like football games,” said Grube. “We will share more information soon about our safety plans for the rest of the season and will continue to keep you updated about important safety matters at our schools.”
