Bixby police investigating possible sexual assault involving high school football players
BIXBY, Okla. (KTUL) — Bixby police say they are investigating a possible sexual assault involving Bixby High School students.
Assistant Chief of Police Andy Choate says rumors have been circulating for the last week about a possible sexual assault or hazing incident, but police now have enough evidence to open up a case. The students involved in the investigation are all football players at the high school.
Choate said it has been rumored that the incident involved hazing, but he said calling it that would downplay the seriousness of the allegations.
"We dont investigate hazing [but] do investigate sexual assault," Choate said.
Bixby Public Schools released the following statement on the investigation:
On November 9, 2017, the Bixby Board of Education went into executive session to discuss with its outside independent legal counsel an ongoing investigation involving certain Bixby High School students. Under state and federal law the District, including its board of education and staff, is precluded from commenting on any facts or information involving any students or employees who may be involved in the investigation. As a result, throughout this investigation the Board and its staff will have no comment on the investigation, including but not limited to the nature and scope of the investigation or the persons or subject matter of the investigation. If, as a result of the investigation, the Board is required to take any action, it will do so pursuant to a proper agenda item and in open session. No further comments on this matter will be made by members of the Board or relevant staff at this time.
Police say it appears all of the students involved are juveniles, but one of the students could have been 18.
Detectives are trying to set up interviews with any potential witnesses.
