An Apple Valley High School security guard was placed on leave after an altercation involving students last week.
Apple Valley High School guard on leave following altercation between students
Muslim group says student was mistreated at Apple Valley High School.
June 6, 2017 at 2:39AM
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district placed Jason Rieck on leave pending an investigation of the incident, in which a student was removed from school by Apple Valley police. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim advocacy group, said Rieck used excessive force in removing a Muslim student during an altercation. CAIR called on the district to discipline Rieck.
The group released a statement Saturday demanding an investigation into the Thursday incident. They say a female Muslim student, a 15-year-old sophomore, was harassed by a male student and called a terrorist. An altercation between the students ensued and the security guard intervened, along with the school resource officer, a police officer assigned to the school.
"The security guard focused completely on her," Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of CAIR, said Monday. "He proceeded to grab her."
The school resource officer called for backup and about three Apple Valley police officers responded. The girl was taken to the Apple Valley Police Department and questioned and later released. She later said that the school resource officer pulled off her hijab after putting handcuffs on her.
"I'm scared for my safety at Apple Valley High School," the sophomore said Monday. "I feel very threatened."
There have been no complaints made against the school resource officer involved in the incident, said Apple Valley Police Capt. Nick Francis.
"We are continuing to try to speak with other students in the area, or any witnesses," Francis said. He said no racial slurs were reported to the department during the altercation.
The female student was initially suspended but her suspension was later removed. She returned to school Monday.
Rieck has served as the school security specialist since September 2013. Hussein said school officials should have de-escalated the situation.
Beatrice Dupuy • 612-673-1707
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