Charges possible against Wayne student

Altercation mistaken for shooting at dance at Huber Heights school.

Police say a juvenile male started an altercation mistaken for a shooting at the Huber Heights school’s homecoming dance.

— The juvenile HUBER HEIGHTS male who police said started an altercation mistaken for a shooting Saturday at the Wayne High School homecoming dance could face charges for disorderly conduct, though no decision has been made, said Sgt. Charles Taylor of the Huber Heights Police Division.

On Saturday around 9:30 p.m., panicked callers told dispatchers there was a shooting at Wayne High School, while parents called to check on their children, according to 911 calls obtained by this newsroom.

“Oh my God! Lord Jesus, help me, Lord Jesus,” a caller shouted at a 911 dispatcher who asked for the location of her emergency.

“Wayne! Wayne!” said the woman. “There’s a shooting at Wayne! Bring somebody!”

In reality, there was no shooter. Police later said the event was a false alarm after someone on scene yelled “gun!” Students running from the area then caused balloons to pop, Taylor said.

“Numerous people did tell us that there was some sort of altercation in the courtyard, where either a kid banged his hands on the table or picked the table up causing a loud noise,” Taylor said.

School principal Jeff Berk said the district has been working with the unnamed student’s family.

“There was never a gun found,” Berk said, noting school officials are attempting to determine if the student intentionally tried to cause alarm.

No one was injured in the melee.

In the 911 calls, Berk told dispatchers that police were not on scene. Taylor said the school hired private security.

“We have not been in attendance for dances in a few years,” Taylor said. “That is on the wishes of the school’s director of safety.”

Berk said there has not previously been a need for police officers. The district had “two or three” security officers on hand from a private security firm, he said.

“As a whole our students are great,” he said. “There hasn’t been anything in the past or concerns

brought to our attention for any events that would require police officers there.”

Jeff Gore, a candidate for mayor, was a chaperone at the homecoming dance with his wife. He posted about the event on Facebook.

“We have a lot of kids who are distraught by what happened so please everyone remember to give your kids a hug and reassure them our community and our schools are safe,” he wrote.

Over the weekend, students began circulating a petition online for a new homecoming dance. Berk said he would meet with the school’s student council officers to see if arrangements could be made for a “make-up” homecoming.