HOUSTON – A high school rivalry between Memorial and Stratford has taken a dangerous turn, with six students arrested for allegedly shooting paintball guns at homes and setting off fireworks in front yards. Harris County Precinct 5 constables said some of the incidents occurred near Pebblebrook Drive and Perthshire in the Wilchester West neighborhood of Harris County.
Neighbors tell KPRC 2 News Reporter Corley Peel the trouble began Monday night, but when the teens returned the following night, they were caught. All six students face felony charges of criminal mischief.
KPRC 2 News obtained surveillance footage showing the teens firing paintball guns in the street, targeting homes, and launching fireworks in yards. Another video captured a student seriously injured after colliding with an SUV during the chaos.
An anonymous neighbor and Stratford alum described how the rivalry, once innocent fun, has worsened over the years.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve seen it get worse each year,” the neighbor said.
The neighbor witnessed constables arriving after a neighbor’s home was damaged by paintball fire.
Investigators caught the teens red handed, recovering several paintball guns, smoke grenades, and fireworks from the teens during their arrest.
Cash Porter, 18, Pierce Aspinall, 18, Noah Abbassian, 17, Ryan Waggoner, 17, Alexander Michael Ramirez, 17, Jonathan Casey Hopkins Crenshaw, 17, were all charged as adults.
Probable cause court videos show three of the teens facing a judge, with all identified as seniors at Memorial High School.
The judge referenced surveillance video and vehicle descriptions linking the teens to the incidents.
Neighbors hope the arrests send a strong message.
“I hate to say it, but I think it’s the right thing,” said one neighbor. “These kids aren’t mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions.”
Some of the teens have been released on personal recognizance bonds, while others remain in jail.
Stafford Police issued warnings to parents earlier this week about the serious consequences of such pranks.
The teens are scheduled to appear in court on November 7 and November 10.
Spring Branch ISD shared the messages sent to parents after Monday’s incidents.
Memorial High School Principal Message:
Dear Memorial Parents and Students,
While it has only been 24 hours since I communicated expectations for student behavior this week leading up to our Friday football game, I have been made aware of students driving at excessive speeds through neighborhoods after leaving locations where paintball or other related activities occurred. This has resulted in serious injuries to at least one student and damage to personal property. This behavior is completely unacceptable and must end immediately.
Please account for your children in the evening hours. The safety of all children in our community should be everyone’s priority. If your child is not at home or at a sponsored event, please be vigilant and supervise them. I highly encourage you to keep your children at home and within your neighborhood this week. While you cannot control what other families choose to do, you hold the power to dictate where your children are in the evening hours.
Safety Reminder: Additionally, there are many children and families in our neighborhoods who do not attend Stratford or Memorial. Many families have younger children. Please remind your children to observe neighborhood speed limits and stop signs. No prank is worth injury or worse due to unsafe driving!
Should you observe any of these situations, please note the vehicle type, license plate number, and location, and report it to both your local law enforcement and Spring Branch ISD Police (713-984-9805) immediately.
State Law and SBISD Code of Conduct Consequences for Student Behavior:
The school and district follow the law and administer consequences for unruly behavior according to Texas law, Chapter 37 of the Education Code and the Student Code of Conduct. Students can receive a consequence for their behavior if the conduct occurs on campus, within 300 feet of the school or district’s property, at a school related activity off campus, or at a school sponsored event or activity of another school district. If it is of a serious criminal nature, such as a Title V felony, then the conduct may require a consequence even if it occurred off district property and is unrelated to the school. We have received no information that the incident rises to the threshold of a Title V felony.
Here is the link to Chapter 37 of the Education Code which governs student discipline and the link to the SBISD Code of Conduct for your review.
This Week’s Events: We have several games happening this week on campus, at the Don Coleman Coliseum, and at Tully Stadium. Our theme this week is “Red Out.” Any student who attends these competitions should wear red attire. This means no head coverings, no masks, or props of any sort. Our expectation is that all students follow the Student Code of Conduct and display good sportsmanship and respect for all. Any student who violates the Student Code of Conduct will be removed from the game and will forfeit the opportunity to attend future events. All patrons, including parents, will also be held to the high standards we expect at Memorial High School.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students and community safe.
Lisa Weir
Principal
Stratford High School Principal Message:
Dear Stratford Students and Families,
I write today to address concerns about incidents related to our Rivalry Week with MHS. I am aware of yesterday’s incidents that involved student pranks going too far to the extent of injury of a student. I am also aware of multiple vehicles and houses that were damaged by paintballs and other projectiles. This rivalry between Memorial and Stratford has lost the sportsmanship between the two communities that we have tried to continue and pride ourselves in. I feel it is important that I address matters directly, to try and keep all of our students, families, and communities safe.
Stay Home and Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe and Friendly
Please account for your children in the evening hours. If your child is not at home or at a sponsored event, it is imperative that you are vigilant in supervising your children. I highly encourage parents to keep your children at home and within your own neighborhood. While you cannot control what other families may choose to do, you hold the power to dictate where your children are in the evening hours. The safest place to be is at home, but if not at home, please account for their whereabouts.
Safety Reminder: Additionally, there are many children and families in our neighborhoods who do not attend Stratford or Memorial. Many families have younger children. Please remind your children to observe neighborhood speed limits and stop signs. No prank is worth injury or worse due to unsafe driving!
Should you observe any of these situations, please note the vehicle type, license plate number, and location, and report it to both your local law enforcement and Spring Branch ISD Police (713-984-9805) immediately.
State Law and SBISD Code of Conduct Consequences for Student Behavior:
The school and district follow the law and administer consequences for unruly behavior according to Texas law, Chapter 37 of the Education Code and the Student Code of Conduct. Students can receive a consequence for their behavior if the conduct occurs on campus, within 300 feet of the school or district’s property, at a school related activity off campus, or at a school sponsored event or activity of another school district. If it is of a serious criminal nature, such as a Title V felony, then the conduct may require a consequence even if it occurred off district property and is unrelated to the school. We have received no information that the incident rises to the threshold of a Title V felony.
Here is the link to Chapter 37 of the Education Code which governs student discipline and the linkto the SBISD Code of Conduct for your review.
Tonight’s Volleyball Game and the Rest of the Week Activities
I expect our students to abide by the school’s expectations before, during, and after our contests. Our students are to sit in our section of the stands and follow the acceptable guidelines provided by the UIL and campus. We will not hurl insulting comments at the players, referees, coaches, or other fans. We will chant positively towards our student athletes, and we will show class. Any student who cannot abide by these rules will be removed from the game and will forfeit the opportunity to attend future events. All patrons, including parents, will also be held to these standards.
Thank you for your attention and support of these matters. Let’s keep our school and communities safe and let’s be Stratford America Strong!
Raymorris A. Barnes
Principal, Stratford High School
Superintendent/Board/Chief Baimbridge:
Parents,
We need your immediate action to keep your children and our community safe.
The reckless and dangerous behavior of students must stop immediately. As you know from the recent communications from MHS Principal Weir & SHS Principal Barnes, a student was seriously injured and homes were significantly damaged as a result of irresponsible student behavior related to our rivalry week.
We have received numerous emails from members of our community affirming that people are afraid to have their children out, walk their dogs, or be out themselves on their street or in their community. This is not acceptable and not who we are as an SBISD community.
Parents, speeding on neighborhood streets and paintballing private homes is dangerous.
We take our responsibility for the safety and security of your students very seriously- we expect you to do the same.
Please understand that Texas law does not allow the school district to discipline students for off campus behavior except in very limited circumstances, not present in the incident that occurred last night. The safety of your children when they are not in our care is your responsibility. Individuals can be held liable for the behavior of their children, and children can suffer lifelong consequences through injury or the criminal justice system.
This week should be a fun and enjoyable week for our students. Please help us keep it this way!
We strongly urge you to keep your children home in the evening this week unless they are going to or from a school and/or required activity.
Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Shannon Mahan
President, SBISD Board of Trustees
Larry Baimbridge
SBISD Chief of Police