Pennsylvania Student Protesters Unaware Police Chief Joined Scrum

Lawyers say clients had no idea the man who grabbed a 15-year-old girl was the local police chief.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Lawyers for student protesters in Pennsylvania say their clients had no idea the older man in street clothes who joined a scuffle with police and put his arm around a 15-year-old girl's neck was the local police chief. The students were demonstrating against immigration enforcement policies when the incident occurred, and the lawyers say the students acted in self-defense and will fight the charges, which include a felony aggravated assault charge because the alleged victim is Police Chief Scott McElree.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about police tactics and transparency, as well as the rights of student protesters. The lawyers argue the students were exercising their First Amendment rights and that the police chief acted outside of his authority by not identifying himself.

The details

According to the lawyers, the 72-year-old McElree arrived in an unmarked car, had no badge or uniform, and never identified himself as the police chief. Videos show a tussle between students and officers, with the lawyers saying the 15-year-old girl was directly choked by the chief and that she did not strike him as alleged. Several students were detained for four days, with some released on home confinement with ankle monitors.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, February 25, 2026 during a student walkout to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies.
  • Some students were released from custody on Tuesday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Scott McElree

The 72-year-old police chief of Quakertown, Pennsylvania who allegedly joined the scuffle with student protesters without identifying himself.

Donald Souders

A defense lawyer representing a 16-year-old boy who had his eyeglasses broken during the incident.

Timothy Prendergast

A defense lawyer representing a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly choked by the police chief.

Ettore 'Ed' Angelo

A defense lawyer representing another 15-year-old girl charged in the case.

Joe Khan

The Bucks County District Attorney who opened an investigation into the incident while also prosecuting the teens in juvenile court.

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What they’re saying

“He charged from his vehicle into the middle of this group of kids. Many of the kids jumped in, in an attempt to defend her. They assumed that this was a counterprotester.”

— Donald Souders, Defense Lawyer

“My client was directly choked by the chief. It was alleged that she had struck him, which she did not. They are innocent. They were exercising their First Amendment rights. The chief did not like that and acted outside of his authority.”

— Timothy Prendergast, Defense Lawyer

“This was an abomination of (police) escalation when it should have been a teaching moment for de-escalation.”

— Ettore 'Ed' Angelo, Defense Lawyer

What’s next

The defense lawyers expect to seek more time to gather video and other evidence in the case, as the teens have a right to an adjudication hearing within 30 days - or 10 days if they remain in custody.

The takeaway

This incident highlights concerns about police transparency and the rights of student protesters, as the lawyers argue the police chief acted outside of his authority and the students were simply exercising their First Amendment rights.