Georgia high school football players facing charges after locker room fight, stabbing

Two Georgia high school football players are facing charges after a fight that led to a stabbing after practice last week.

The incident happened Wednesday in a locker room after football practice at East Hall High School, about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta, said Hall County Schools and the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

A 16-year-old football player approached a 14-year-old football player at his locker and picked him up by his shoulder pads, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday morning. The older teen slammed the 14-year-old into a locker, then the 14-year-old "retaliated and stabbed the older teen with a pair of scissors," the sheriff's office said.

The 16-year-old junior suffered a stab wound to his leg, and his upper body was also injured, the sheriff's office said. His injuries are non-life threatening injuries, the school district said in a separate statement.

School district condemns violence

After the stabbing, someone called police and emergency responders immediately, and the 14-year-old freshman who stabbed the other player was taken into custody, the school district and the sheriff's office said. He is in custody at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) and has been charged with aggravated assault and affray.

"He will receive disciplinary consequences in accordance with the district’s student code of conduct," the district said in its statement. "Violence toward any student or staff member is unacceptable, and will be dealt with accordingly by the HCSD."

The 16-year-old was also charged with simple battery and affray, the sheriff's office said. After he was treated for his injuries, he was released to his parents.

The school district said the investigation is ongoing.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.