Teen attacked, flown to hospital

CAPE ST. CLAIRE, Md. - A teenager is in critical condition at Shock Trauma, after he was assaulted across the street from Broadneck High School in Anne Arundel County.

The victim is 18 years old.  Police now say his injuries, while severe, are not life-threatening.  The suspect in the case, police say, is just 15, and a student at Broadneck.

Police say the fight happened after school let out, around 2:15 Friday afternoon.

Each day, many students walk down an access road behind the school, which leads to Chestnut Tree Drive.  The fight on Friday happened there.

“That's just sad. I hate to see people get hurt, especially kids like that,” said Aaron Wiseman, who lives nearby.

The argument escalated into a physical fight where the 18-year-old was struck around the area of his right eye.  The damage was bad enough that rescue crews flew him to Shock Trauma.

“He was lifted with life-threatening injuries, so I mean that was a priority one patient. You don't want to waste any time with a priority one patient,” said Batt. Chief Steve Thompson, of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

The corner where the access road hits Chestnut Tree Drive is a busy after-school spot for teens.  Neighbors say fights are not uncommon.

“Every now and again you know kids will be kids,” Wiseman said, adding that he himself has broken up several fights.  “Stuff will get out of hand, you've got to break it up.”

Anne Arundel County Police say the suspect and the victim knew each other.  Investigators are speaking with people who saw the fight happen, but so far no charges have been filed.