Police Investigation Continues Into Helmet Incident at Linden H.S. Football Game
LINDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey high school football player who was captured on video apparently hitting a rival player with a helmet could face charges as early as Wednesday, police said.
Linden High School played Immaculata High School at home on Friday night. Video showed Linden defensive lineman Fritz Moncion apparently pull the helmet off his opponent and hit the player on the head with it, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported Tuesday.
The Immaculata player stood up after the hit and was taken to a hospital, where he received 10 stitches to close a head wound.
A referee penalized Moncion for unsportsmanlike conduct, but did not remove him from the game.
Police Investigation Continues Into Linden High School Football Game Incident
Linden Police Capt. James Sarnicki said the police department's juvenile bureau's investigation into the incident is ongoing.
"If there are any charges resulting from the investigation, then we will release further details," he told WCBS 880's Levon Putney. "We hope to hear something today."
Linden School Superintendent Danny Robertozzi issued a statement Wednesday saying the player has been removed from the varsity team.
"The brutal action taken by this young man is simply unacceptable and will not be condoned,'' Robertozzi said, adding the school board is pursuing the "severest disciplinary measures permitted under law."
However, the board said it cannot lawfully comment on the specific disciplinary action taken.
Robertozzi said his player's action on the field "is contrary to the type of sportsmanship Linden requires from its student athletes.'' The school board will stress to all its athletes that such "egregious conduct'' will not be tolerated, the superintendent said.
Immaculata said it received an apology from Linden school officials.
Immaculata beat Linden 26 to 6.
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