Report: Lacrosse Team Killed Animal Before Game

Updated at 11:11 p.m.

GROSSE ILE, MI – A Metro Detroit lacrosse team is under investigation for allegedly killing some type of animal before a game, police said.

Grosse Ile Township Chief Joseph Porcerelli did not make clear to the Detroit Free Press what type of animal was allegedly killed by members of the Grosse Ile High School Red Devils lacrosse team, how many students may have been involved or whether the accused students are members of the varsity or junior varsity team.

However, WJBK-TV quoted unnamed sources who said the animal was a guinea pig "sacrificed" in a pre-game ritual in which players of the boys' lacrosse team painted themselves in blood. The source said the ritual was a bonding experience, according to the report.

Porcerelli has said only that the open investigation indicates the animal was killed away from school grounds.

The varsity and junior varsity teams were to have played West Bloomfield Tuesday, but those games were postponed or canceled.

The school district has suspended its internal investigation and is waiting for completion of the criminal investigation before deciding if any students should face discipline under the school district’s student and athletic handbooks, Lelekatch said.

» The Detroit Free Press has more.