Elyria, OH – April 16, 2025
An Elyria High School student was arrested Wednesday morning after reportedly striking a school administrator during a hallway altercation. The incident took place around 8:45 a.m. inside the school at 601 Middle Avenue and resulted in a brief lockdown as school staff and police responded to the situation.
According to the Elyria Police Department, 18-year-old Jaleal A. Wells was involved in a physical confrontation after attempting to engage another student. When a school administrator intervened to de-escalate the situation, Wells allegedly struck the staff member in the chest before fleeing the area. The building was placed on a temporary hold for approximately ten minutes due to Wells’ unknown whereabouts.
Wells was located shortly afterward in the West Avenue parking lot and taken into custody by the school’s on-site School Resource Officer without further incident. He was charged with Assault (ORC 2903.13A4D – a fifth-degree felony) and Inducing Panic (ORC 2917.31A3 – a first-degree misdemeanor), and transported to the Lorain County Jail.
Elyria Police Captain Bill Lantz credited both school personnel and the School Resource Officer for their swift actions, noting that no injuries were reported and no other students or staff were harmed during the incident. “We will continue to work closely with Elyria City Schools to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff,” Lantz said.