Bishop McDevitt: 3 reports of assaults on students - abc27 WHTM

Bishop McDevitt High School students have been the targets of three assaults in the past 24 hours, officials told parents Wednesday morning.

Tuesday afternoon, a 15-year-old Harrisburg boy told police he was beaten and robbed on his way home school. Wednesday morning, school officials said a group of students and a school bus were shot at with a BB or pellet gun.

In a letter to parents, Principal Mary Anne Bednar said no one was injured by the shots from the gun. However, the 15-year-old boy was punched on the head and knocked to the pavement, according to city police. He suffered numerous bruises and scrapes on his face and head.

The boy reported that three young black males, each wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, confronted him in the 2200 block of Chestnut Street and asked to use his cell phone. When he denied the request, he was repeatedly punched and kicked before they robbers took his cell phone and fled, police said.

Bednar said a group of five males wearing hoodies were responsible for Wednesday's incidents involving a BB or pellet gun. Nobody was struck but a school bus window was broken.

Bednar said she told faculty, staff and students about the incidents this morning. She is also increasing security measures and asking students who park on Market Street to park on the football field. Any student who has parked on Market Street will be escorted to their car. Staff will also be station in front of the school at the beginning and end of the day to greet students arriving by bus or car. They will instruct students to move into the building immediately.

The school is asking students who walk to school to do so in groups and to not wear headphones or visibly carry any electronic devices.

Anyone with information is asked to call Harrisburg police at 717-255-6586.