WINONA, Minn. – A 14-year-old boy walking past a younger boy at a cafeteria lunch table grabbed the boy’s milk carton. A fight ensued in which the boy whose milk was taken suffered a head injury. Such, anyway, was what witnesses reported seeing. Police, however, delayed charges until they can take more interviews, review school video, and get a medical update on the injured boy’s condition. It’s not unusual in such circumstances for police to write an assault citation even for a minor. This how kids who saw the the incident remember it unfolding:
> The 14-year-old grabbed the seated 13-year-old’s milk while walking by.
> The 13-year-old shot up and demanded his milk back.
> The 14-year-old refused.
> The 13-year-old reached to retrieve his milk and in the process tore the 14-year-old’s shirt pocket.
> The 14-year-old threw the milk at the 13-year-old.
> The 13-year-old threw it back.
> The 14-year-old punched the 13-year-old, who fell and hit his head on a table.
> The boys, now both soaked in milk, were separated.
> Police were summoned.