(KRON) -- El Cerrito High School football players were subject to bullying and hazing over the past two years, including sexual battery and assault, police said Thursday. Detectives allege the assailants were other members of the Gauchos football team.
The investigation began on Oct. 2 when the El Cerrito Police Department received a report from a mandated reporter. After interviews with victims, school staff and witnesses, detectives learned the alleged incidents occurred between September 2024 and October 2026.
“Investigators obtained video evidence that corroborated the victims’ accounts and provided additional evidence substantiating the reported conduct,” El Cerrito PD wrote. “The detectives are investigating allegations of battery, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, dissuading a victim, conspiracy, and stalking.”
Police said they anticipate making several arrests in connection with the investigation. There have been 22 current and former students “suspected of involvement,” according to ECPD and the West Contra Costa Unified School District.
In response to the accusations, WCCUSD announced it is suspending the El Cerrito High School football program.
El Cerrito High School, located at 540 Ashbury Ave. in El Cerrito, Calif. (KRON4)
“No child should ever experience what our students have described,” said WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton in a news release. “While we have worked to focus on accountability for the actions of individual players up until this point, new information has led to new decisions. We must now make the very tough call to immediately suspend the El Cerrito High football program in order to prevent any further harm and restore a safe learning environment for our students.”
The school district said the team's head coach is also being placed on leave "as part of the ongoing investigation process."
Due to the ages of the victims and suspects, ECPD declined to share more details about the investigation.
Anti-hazing and bystander education will be implemented across WCCUSD classrooms, according to the district.
DA files charges against minor arrested for Fairfield mass shooting
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the El Cerrito Police Department at 510-215-4435 or investigations@elcerrito.gov.
