Lethbridge high school football players charged in alleged sex assault of teammate

Four Lethbridge, Alta., high school football players have been charged with sexual assault, accused of confining and attacking a teammate in the school's locker room.

Police say a teenage male was forcibly confined and sexually assaulted in the locker room after regular school hours on Oct 3. Investigators say it was not a random incident.

"The victim, who was very courageous, came forward and reported to police," said Staff Sgt. Pete Christos at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "We took the investigation on from there."

The following day, Oct. 4, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) executed a search warrant at the school, leading to the seizure of a weapon, police said in a statement.

The four teens each face three charges — sexual assault with a weapon, assault with a weapon and forcible confinement.

At the press conference, Lethbridge police were asked if the incident "was a form of hazing."

"Absolutely not," said Christos. "This was a sexual assault."