A video posted and shared through teenage social media channels shows a disturbing scene that occurred last week just outside the boundaries of Barrington High School. Last Wednesday, an 18-year-old BHS student was walking home from school when he was confronted by a group of fellow students encouraging him to fight.

What occurred after they convinced him to throw down his backpack and square off, fists raised, is chilling. The victim clearly got the worst of what began as a one-on-one fist fight, before he was slugged to the ground.

The lead assailant, who is younger but clearly taller than the victim, then stood over the 18-year-old, and the scene turned from bad to worse. When the victim stumbled to his feet, multiple other students began lunging at the victim, throwing wild haymakers, pummeling his face and body, before finally staggering him with a vicious punch to the head.

As recorded in the cell phone video, which captured the enthusiastic reaction from the group, this felt obscenely viscious. The group targeted, confronted, pummeled and badly injured another student from their high school community, and the ferocity of the attack got stronger as the victim got weaker. They actually attacked more violently as the victim became more wounded and damaged. It felt like hyenas swarming a wounded animal.

We are encouraging parents of Barrington students to talk to your children about this incident, especially if they are students at the high school or middle school. Chances are, your children have already watched this video, and you have no idea. Worse, they may have have “liked” it, shared it, or re-posted it. You’ll want to know that, too.

Mostly, you will want to measure their reactions to watching this revolting display. If they think it is funny, or harmless, or kids being kids, this is clearly an opportunity for some parenting.

If they think it is frightening, if it creates anxiety about their school and their classmates, it is also a good opportunity for some parenting.

Likewise, Barrington High School has some work to do in reacting to this incident. Barrington Police and the criminal justice system should prosecute the offenders commensurate with the ruthless nature of their actions, and Barrington High School should do the same. Frightened students need to know there is zero tolerance for thuggery, for cold, calculated violence. They need to know they can learn in a safe environment.

This attack left one unfortunate student severely injured. It should also leave the full community uneasy that so many of its own could so quickly devolve into something chillingly violent.