Investigation uncovers what led to brawl at Hanford, Pasco basketball game

Yahoo

7 days ago

High emotions, mass confusion and unfounded accusations of racial slurs were what likely led to a pair of fights at a February varsity basketball game between the Pasco Bulldogs and visiting Hanford Falcons.
That's according to an investigation by the Pasco Police Department and its school resource officer obtained by the Tri-City Herald through the state Public Records Act.
Several officers interviewed more than a dozen witnesses, parents and students in the days that followed the Feb. 4 incidents.
Police also determined that a Hanford assistant coach tried to intervene between two fighting players but that allegations he choked a Pasco player were unsubstantiated.
It was a 'split-second decision' to place his arms around a swinging Pasco player and likely 'the best option to de-escalate the situation,' said police.
'There were coaches up and down the court grabbing onto players to stop their aggressive movement toward players on the opposite team,' wrote Officer Joseph Wysock, a school resource officer at Pasco High School.
'Many of the events on Feb. 4, 2025, were unlawful and were against high school sports policies from both schools,' Wysock wrote. 'The game's coaching staff and school administrators handled the situations professionally to de-escalate many problems.'
The firstfight occurred in the waning moments of the game, after a Pasco player going for a layup was pushed mid-air by a Hanford opponent. The hard foul led to a scrum between the two teams and the allegations involving Hanford's assistant coach.
But a second fight after the game involved mostly enraged fans and parents. Several people walked away with bruises and scratches, and police identified one parent who may have instigated the fight.
While Pasco police recommended third-degree assault charges for two parents and one student involved in the second incident, the city attorney chose to not file charges in the case, said Richland attorney Scott Johnson, who represents the assistant coach.
The Herald is not naming those involved or the assistant coach since no charges were filed.
The Hanford assistant coach remains on administrative leave from his part-time coaching job as the school investigation continues, but he has said he doesn't plan to return next season.
Richland said in a statement to families days after the incident that the coach's actions 'do not reflect our commitment to safety' and would not be tolerated.
Johnson argues the district should retract those statements in light of the Pasco police report.
'They made a snap judgment critical of their own coach before they knew any of the facts,' he wrote. 'The false statements the Richland School District made caused my client and his family to be subject to numerous threats, including threats of physical harm.'
The Tri-City Herald has requested additional records about the Richland School District's internal investigation.
A spokesperson for the district said it's standard practice for a staff member to be placed on leave when safety-related concerns are reported.
'This ensures a thorough, impartial review while prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff. The RSD's investigation into any potential violations of district policies is ongoing,' Richland public information officer BJ Sorenson told the Herald.
In the days and weeks since the fights, Pasco High School has reviewed and enhanced its safety protocols. That includes more supervision and safety staff at home athletic events.
'At the district level, we have worked closely with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to address broader concerns and reinforce clear expectations for behavior and sportsmanship,' a statement from the Pasco School District reads.
'As part of this effort, QR codes are now posted at home athletic events, providing spectators with a simple and immediate way to report concerns or inappropriate conduct during competitions,' the statement continues.
It was alleged by some witnesses that the tussles were preceded by the use of racial slurs against Pasco players on the court, specifically during a foul in the third quarter.
Wysock interviewed the game referee and two Pasco coaches. All three denied hearing anything racial, and police were unable to establish any probable cause that slurs had been used.
The referee explained in an interview with Wysock that it's WIAA protocol to pause play, speak with coaches and warn the benches if slurs or disparaging remarks are heard during play.
Police were unable to discern what was said by players during the third-quarter foul, but one juvenile witness claimed a Hanford player called someone an anti-Black epithet.
The Hanford assistant coach and a younger student were accused of calling a Pasco player 'carrot top' and 'carrot cake.'
'Pasco has a red-haired Hispanic player,' Wysock wrote. 'I interviewed him and he was unaware of these comments being made, nor did he feel that they were racial. In fact, he thought about making them a nickname for himself.'
The first fight at Pasco High School occurred with less than four seconds left on the clock of the game as the Falcons led the Bulldogs, 62-45, according to police reports.
As Hanford was running out the clock, a Pasco player stole the ball and was pushed during a layup. He landed and hit the padded wall.
'This caused the Pasco players to get upset and act with instant retaliation,' Officer Wysock wrote. Then, coaches, parents and fans from both teams came onto the court from the bleachers.
'Pasco High School administrators and coaches from both teams were clearing the court and addressing concerns as best as they could. They established command and control of the incident for the time being. Parents grew concerned over the events that just took place, such as the hard foul and the Hanford coach grabbing a Pasco player. Parents started pointing fingers as possible instigators,' he continued.
A frustrated Pasco mother was identified as a 'component of what instigated' later fights. She and her husband initially thought it was their son who had been grabbed by the coach.
After the game, as parents were waiting for their kids to come out of the locker rooms, she pointed out to the district athletic director a 20-year-old Hanford fan whom she believed was involved in the altercation, and that was 'saying racial slurs throughout the game.'
That fan reportedly got into an argument earlier that evening with a few of the Pasco fans in the locker room tunnels, and was asked to leave the tunnel.
A Pasco student there to watch the game overheard the mother's discussion with the athletic director, and he confronted the Hanford fan.
After the game, words were exchanged between the Hanford fan and Pasco student, according to the police report, and shortly after the fan was surrounded by three men.
'(The fan) crosses his arms in a manner that portrays he is not going to leave or listen to the crowd yelling and pointing for him to leave,' the report reads.
The Hanford fan's father tried to intervene and the Hanford fan gets into a wrestling match with one of the Pasco aggressors and punches began flying. Several spectators, parents and students rushed to try to break up the cluster, but others who rushed in tried joining in on the fight, the police report said.
Reports said the fan was beat by 'around 5-6 adults,' and was even knocked unconscious by an aggravated Pasco student who rushed into the scrum to land a 'haymaker' punch that also knocked down another person.
The school's vice principal, the athletic director, Hanford coaches and several 'good Samaritans' broke up the fight.
Wysock's report was based on 'hours of video footage' — both closed circuit and submissions from the public — and several written statements and interviews. It led him to the conclusion that reactions from players, fans, parents and students resulted in 'multiple people breaking the law.'
'It is not uncommon for players' emotions to be elevated during games, and retaliation for a hard foul has become common in college and professional sports,' the school resource officer wrote. 'In the events of the game between Pasco High School and Hanford High School, the actions taken by some reached the criminal level.'
In addition to the three individuals recommended on third-degree assault charges, Pasco police also listed the names of nine individuals who likely broke state law by disturbing a school activity. The misdemeanor comes with a simple penalty of up to $50.