Summary Of Patel's Incident In Hazleton Area High School Swimming Centre

On 4-5-17 at approximately 12:00PM, HAHS Vice Principal Mr. Conston called me to investigate an incident that occurred in the Hazleton Area High School swimming pool locker room between 9th grade students Uddhav Patel and Jeriel Gil. I interviewed Gil and Patel separately and had each write statements about this incident. I also interviewed and took statements from 9th grade students Austin Kofluk and Matthew Abreu who were both witnesses.

Gil was waiting by the changing stall. Patel told him to leave and shoved Gil. Gil shoved Patel back. Patel grabbed the back of Gil's neck and Gil pushed Patel's hands off. Gil grabbed his clothes and entered the changing stall. Patel started banging on the stall telling Gil to get out and swing first. At this time Gil stated that Patel called him a nigger. When Gil exited the stall, Gil claims Patel said, "I will kill you nigger" about two or three times. Gil also stated that Patel started
Conston told Patel his father was going to be called. Patel starting crying and continuously asking Mr. Conston not to call his father because his father would kill him and send him back to India. Mr. Conston stepped out of the office momentarily. I remained sitting next to Patel. Patel became so upset with his situation that he grabbed his necklace with both hands, pulling it inward to start choking himself and said "I am going to kill myself rather than my father kill me". I immediately grabbed both of his hands and told Patel to let go. He immediately complied with no resistance. Mr. Conston entered the office at this time. I explained to Mr. Conston what happened. Mr. Conston called the school nurse Mrs. Dolan to come and examine Patel for any injuries. No apparent injuries were found on Patel. Patel was escorted to the nurse's office. Mrs. Dolan called an ambulance to have Patel transported to the Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton for further