Viral video set at RRHS graduation prompts investigation

A video of a woman grabbing a teen boy by the shirt or neck at Rio Rancho High School's 2024 graduation ceremony on May 21 has gone viral on Rio Rancho social media pages.

The video shows a middle-aged woman and a teen boy arguing.

"What the f--- is your problem?" the teen asked.

"They cannot see with you standing there," she responded.

"Well god damn. OK. Ask nicely," he said.

"I did ask you nicely. Get the f--- away from me," she said.

As she says this, she grabs him by either the shirt or the neck and shoves him away from her. In the video, people around the ordeal can be heard telling the woman to keep her hands off of him. Security approached the two. The boy tells them what happened, but nothing is done in the video. The woman then goes up the stairs and the video ends.

At this time, Rio Rancho Police Department is aware and investigating the situation, according to Capt. Jacquelynn Reedy.

Rio Rancho Public Schools is not condoning the behavior in the video.

"The behavior exhibited in this video is completely unacceptable and does not align with the expectations we have for the attendees of our graduation ceremonies. Rio Rancho Public Schools works closely with the Rio Rancho Events Center to ensure that there is a substantial security and police presence at all RRPS graduation ceremonies, and it is our understanding that the Rio Rancho Police Department responded to the incident. We do not believe that the male involved in the confrontation is an RRPS student, and we are unaware of who the female in the video is," RRPS communications officer Wyndham Kemsley said.

He added RRPS hopes an incident like this one will never happen again.

"It is unfortunate that such a negative interaction occurred at what was otherwise a joyful and pleasant event. Commencement ceremonies are very important to not only the district, but to our outstanding graduates and their families. We are hopeful that no such incident will ever take place again at another RRPS graduation ceremony," Kemsley said.

At this time, neither of the individuals in the video has been identified.

The video can be watched on Facebook.