The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office along with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will investigate allegations some upper class members and/or former members of the Ooltewah High School boys’ basketball team assaulted freshman teammates prior to the December incident in Sevier County, that left one player critically injured and three others charged with attacking him.
Officials said, "At present no one has contacted Hamilton County law enforcement to formally report any criminal behavior having taken place in Hamilton County by anyone associated with the OHS boys’ basketball team. However, recent media reports cite family members of OHS freshman basketball players who accuse upper class teammates of an ongoing pattern of assaults allegedly committed under the guise of hazing."
District Attorney General Neal Pinkston asked the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to work with his investigators to determine if any of the accusations reported by media can be substantiated and if so to determine the proper jurisdiction for prosecution.
If anyone has knowledge of any crimes related to this investigation having taken place within Hamilton County, they should call the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at 423 209-7000.