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Father, daughter charged in Ruskin High School student assault

Victim accused of assaulting suspect in the past
Posted at 12:16 PM, Sep 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-22 11:53:50-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A father and daughter have been charged in connection to an assault of a Ruskin High School student. 

PREVIOUS STORY: Student critically injured in altercation with parent at Ruskin High School, police say

Josiah S. Wright, 38, faces first-degree assault charges. Jonay L. Wright, 17, faces second-degree domestic assault charges. 

According to court documents, police arrived at the south Kansas City school on Tuesday around noon. Witnesses told police that Jonay Wright and her father kicked and hit the victim in the head and body. Another witness told police that the father stomped on the victim’s head while the daughter kicked him. 

Court documents say Jonay Wright is the victim’s ex-girlfriend. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Cullen Landis by Wright's family members. 

 

 

According to the probable cause statement, the father told police he was at the school to have lunch with his daughter and pick up her schedule, but saw her ex-boyfriend in the student services area.

"You threatened to kill my daughter. I'll (expletive) you up," said the father, according to a witness statement to detectives.

Josiah Wright later told police his daughter received threatening text messages. 

Court documents say Josiah Wright pulled the victim off of his chair in order to allow his daughter to attack him. Wright said he held other people back so his daughter could continue hitting the victim. Court documents say Wright denied kicking the victim. 

The victim was sent to the hospital with critical injuries. As of Friday morning, his condition is improving, an attorney representing the family said. 

Josiah Wright's bond was set at $100,000. He asked for a reduction and was denied. Jonay Wright's bond was set at $30,000.

 

Family of Josiah and Jonay Wright speak to 41 Action News after the altercation

Wright's family told 41 Action News Landis and Jonay Wright have a past.

Landis was charged with assaulting Jonay Wright in June at Ruskin High School.

According to court documents, Landis allegedly threw Jonay Wright to the ground and struck her with his fist, causing multiple cuts and bruises to her face.

Jonay Wright's family on her mother's side told 41 Action News that Landis hit her multiple times in the past. They said they complained to the school but nothing was done. 

A court hearing on that charge was supposed to take place on Wednesday, but it was pushed back to October 25.