Published Tuesday, May 22, 2018 | 5:12 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 1:31 p.m.
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Almost five years after three students were attacked and pistol whipped by intruders at a Canyon Springs High School senior breakfast, a jury Monday night awarded the students more than a half-million dollars in damages, according to Clark County District Court documents.
The Clark County School District and former Canyon Springs principal Ronnie Guerzon, now a CCSD associate superintendent, were found negligent in not preventing the attacks, in a decision awarding the victims $540,000, the documents said.
"It’s been five years for these kids,” said Marjorie Hauf, attorney for the plaintiffs. “We were very happy with the outcome for these boys.”
The former students, Gabriel Ureno, Bijo’n Perry and Gerad Davis, were incoming seniors on Aug. 23, 2013, during the school’s "senior sunrise” early breakfast when the attacks occurred, court documents show. One of them suffered a skull fracture and internal brain bleeding, according to previous reports.
School District spokeswoman Melinda Malone said Wednesday in an email statement, "CCSD works hard to ensure that every event we hold is a safe environment for our students. It's unfortunate that the perpetrators in this situation resorted to criminal behavior while students were gathering to celebrate their senior activities.”
"The District is currently exploring its legal options," Malone said.
According to court documents and Hauf, the attorney:
The school had sent out a text message blast to students to “bring their friends” to the event, which served as a welcome to the incoming seniors. This allowed the intruders — identified as Katario Miller, Nicholas Johnson and Maurice Harvey, all 18 at the time and none a Canyon Springs student — to enter the campus without their identities being checked.
For about an hour, Miller, Johnson and Harvey socialized with those in attendance at the event, which attracted 100 to 150 people. But afterward, they started a food fight in which they also spit on students.
During the disturbance, they attacked the victims, who were on campus but trying to leave the event. At least one victim was robbed during the incident.
The suspects were arrested and charged with counts of robbery, battery with a deadly weapon, challenges to fight, conspiracy and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property. Prosecutors obtained convictions against all three defendants.
The school was not adequately staffed or equipped to break up the increasingly violent disturbance, according to the complaint. Staff did not check identities of those entering the event, and cameras surrounding the campus were not properly functioning.
Furthermore, according to the complaint, the school had a history of incidents involving intruders breaching the school and causing a ruckus.
Hauf said the decision provided her clients with closure and sent a message that the school district has to “do more to keep these kids safe,” Hauf said.
