Felony charges filed in high 'school assault

Two Whitefish High School students have been charged with felony aggravated assault charges after a fellow student was severely beaten in the high school parking lot as school let out on March 18.

Joseph Goetsch, 18, and Zachary Watson, 16, allegedly attacked a 16-year-old male about 3:45 p.m. The victim was transported to North Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

Numerous Whitefish police officers responded to the call, and Watson was apprehended while riding a school bus home. He will be charged as an adult. Goetsch had driven himself home in his car and later turned himself in to police.

Investigators suspect the attack was in retaliation for an earlier altercation that might have involved the victim and a friend of Watson and Goetsch.

Several witness accounts were recorded by police officers. According to one account, Watson tackled the victim and began to punch him. Another reported that Goetsch then kicked the victim in the stomach and punched him in the mouth, knocking out at least one tooth and loosening others.

The victim reportedly lost consciousness temporarily. He was treated at the hospital for blunt head trauma, cuts and a concussion.

Watson and Goetsch face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted of felony aggravated assault.