Two Seneca High School Football Players Charged With Assaulting Teammate

Seneca, SC—Two Seneca High School football players have been charged with simple assault and battery for a reported locker room incident with a teammate.

Seneca Police say that Devin Gaines, 17, and Austin Hunter, 18, were both released on a personal recognizance bond of $1,092.50.

A15-year old boy and his parents filed a complaint about an assault at the school following football practice on October 26 according to the police chief.

The victim called Hunter a name during football - according to the incident report - and Hunter threw their teammate down and punched him several times.

Gaines also punched the victim while “laughing about the incident:“ according to the incident report.

Gaines and Hunter are accused of attacking their teammate again in the junior varsity locker room. The victim was changing clothes when Hunter, Gaines and other teammates entered the room. The incident report says the victim was slammed to the ground and he was surrounded while Hunter punched and kicked him in the head.

Gaines then pulled the shirt over the boy’s head and punched him several times according to the report.

The victim had visible injuries to his face and head according to the officer who also interviewed witnesses in the investigation.

The arrest warrant charges Hunter and Gaines with striking the victim about the head and body.

Seneca High School principal Cliff Roberts said Wednesday, “it is our policy not to discuss personnel or student disciplinary actions. I can only say the situation was handled per district policy.“

The Seneca High School football roster lists Hunter as a senior defensive back. Gaines is senior defensive lineman.