Student Fought With, Spat At Cops, Hopewell School Staff: Police

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 15-year-old high school student was arrested after attacking multiple school staff and a police officer Thursday afternoon, police said. The boy also spit on a police officer who was responding to a report that the student had physically assaulted multiple employees at Hopewell Valley Central High School, according to Hopewell Township police.

Officers responded to the school at about 1:45 p.m. and confirmed the assaults. However, when they attempted to arrest the boy, the attacks continued. This time, he punched Officer Brian Dendis in the face, causing a minor injury, police said. He also spit at Sergeant James Rosso and school staff.

He was ultimately arrested and taken to the Hopewell Township Police Department for processing. Police didn’t say why the student originally assaulted staff to prompt the initial police response.

He will be charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault against law enforcement officers and school personnel. He will also be charged with resisting arrest. These charges will be forwarded to the Mercer County Family Court for review.

The high school went into a temporary building freeze during this incident. A building freeze allows classes to continue as usual, but movement through the hallways is restricted. The building freeze was lifted shortly after the juvenile was in custody.

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