At approximately 8:10 on Tuesday, Jan. 31, Town of Montgomery Police School resource officers were on location at the Valley Central High School for a basketball game. As the game ended, (Valley Central defeated Newburgh Free Academy, 57-38) several fights reportedly started in the gym.Officers requested additional units to assist with the fights. Orange County 911 also received calls reporting the fight at the school. Some callers to 911 reported that someone had a weapon. These reports prompted a large response from the police agencies at the scene.

At this time, no injuries have been reported, according to Town of Montgomery Police. The investigation found no shots fired and no verified sighting of a firearm on the scene.

Police report that one subject was detained, and subsequently released pending further investigation.

Town police were assisted at the scene by State Police, Orange County Sheriff, Village of Montgomery, Walden and Maybrook Police, Towns of Newburgh, Crawford and Wallkill Police and the City of Newburgh Police. 

Fire and EMS units were placed on standby to assist with injuries, but were not needed.

The Valley Central School District, in a statement released Wednesday at 5 p.m. reported that a knife was recovered from the scene but was not a part of the altercation. The district reported that there were two School Resource Officers, as well as several trained event staff and administrators, including the VCHS Principal, the District’s Athletic Director and an Assistant Superintendent, present during the game. Immediate action was taken to contain the incident and ensure the safety of the athletes and spectators. Other district administrators arrived quickly to the scene, including the Superintendent, Director of Safety and School Business Official. Newburgh Free Academy also had security present.

The Valley Central administration also reported that an individual attending the event yelled “gun” which resulted in the quick response from numerous other law enforcement agencies. This individual later retracted this statement. Additionally, there was an inaccurate call to 911 from a third party that there was a reported gunman at the event

“Any Valley Central students directly involved in the incident will be addressed according to the VC Code of Conduct. On February 1st, district leaders, along with the Director of Safety, convened to debrief the incident and reviewed procedures to enhance safety measures,” the Valley Central Administration said in a prepared statement.  “Valley Central School District is grateful to the Town of Montgomery Police, New York State Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Village of Montgomery, Walden, and Maybrook Police, Towns of Newburgh, Crawford, Wallkill Police, City of Newburgh Police and Fire and EMS units .”

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Town of Montgomery Police at (845) 457-9211 or email Detective Sergeant Meehan at jmeehan@townofmontgomery.com