ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — The Glynn County Police Department is conducting an investigation into an incident involving a 19-year-old male who was dropped off by three minors at the hospital highly intoxicated.
The incident reportedly occurred on March 21 and the Southeast Georgia Health Center in Brunswick notified the police shortly after he was dropped off.
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Patrol officers responded to the hospital at 10:40 p.m. after the three juveniles had already left 19-year-old Trenton Lehrkamp, but not before giving the hospital their names.
The Criminal Investigation Division was called in to assist with the investigation. Officers did not see any physical injuries on the victim but did note the presence of spray paint. Lehrkamp was treated for his intoxication from a mixture of controlled substances and alcohol. According to a GoFundMe for his medical care, he has been on a ventilator and near death since he arrived at the hospital.
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The day after Lehrkamp was hospitalized, detectives served a search warrant on a residence on St. Simons Island where the incident occurred, as well as several other residences. Numerous items of evidence were collected and recorded related to the investigation. Detectives have interviewed several juveniles associated with the incident and are continuing to conduct additional interviews.
On Sunday, March 26, detectives interviewed the victim at the hospital. Lehrkamp was alert and conscious and gave a statement about what transpired on the evening of Tuesday, March 21. The victim and his family are fully cooperating with GCPD and the investigation.
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Disturbing videos surfaced on social media this week also involving the same 19-year-old victim. GCPD says they are of a prior incident involving Lehrkamp and are not related to this current incident.
A vigil has been organized for Monday in support of Lehrkamp. It will be held outside the hospital where he is currently being treated.
GCPD has been in consultation with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Glynn County District Attorney regarding this investigation.
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Glynn County Schools sent the following message to families on Monday:
“Good morning GCSS Families,
“We are aware of the allegations of an off-campus incident that involved several of our former and current students. At this time, the Glynn County Police Department is actively investigating this matter, and we are cooperating. Please know that we take very seriously all concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of our students, both on and off campus. We understand the significant community concern and interest in this situation, and will continue to work diligently to provide an atmosphere where students feel safe, comfortable and ready to learn. It is our common practice to follow Georgia Department of Education law, specifically O.C.G.A. 20-2-768 that states ‘students may be disciplined for conduct off-campus, which could result in the student being criminally charged and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process.’
“Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Conduct and to be supportive of it in their daily communication with their children and others in the community. As always, we all play an important role in maintaining safe learning environments, so if you see something, say something. Incidents like this have no place in education and will not be tolerated here in Glynn County Schools. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.”
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The Glynn County Police Department released a statement on the ongoing investigation on social media on Sunday night:
“The Glynn County Police Department continues to investigate an incident involving minors that took place on Tuesday March 21. GCPD was notified by Southeast Georgia Health Center an individual had been brought in with a high level of intoxication. Patrol Officers responded to the hospital at approximately 10:40 p.m. The hospital reported three juveniles had pulled up to the Emergency Room and told staff they had an individual in the vehicle they needed to bring in. The three juveniles registered their names with the ER and then departed the hospital after they asked the hospital staff if they could leave prior to GCPD’s arrival at the hospital.
“After assessing the situation, the Criminal Investigation Division was called in to assist with Investigation. CID learned the identity of the victim as Trenton Lehrkamp, age 19. Officers did not see any signs of physical injury on the individual but did note the presence of spray paint. Lehrkamp was treated due to a high level of intoxication, from a mixture of controlled substances and alcohol.
“On Wednesday, March 22, in the early morning hours, detectives served a search warrant on a residence on St. Simons Island, where the incident had occurred. Numerous items of evidence were collected and recorded related to this investigation. Supplemental search warrants were also served on Wednesday, March 22, to gather further evidence. Detectives have interviewed several juveniles associated with the incident and are continuing to conduct additional interviews. It has been determined by detectives, the videos which have surfaced on social media are of a prior incident involving the victim and are not pertaining to this current incident.
“On Sunday, March 26, Detectives were able to interview the victim at the hospital. He was alert and conscious and gave a statement about what transpired on the evening of Tuesday, March 21. The victim and his family are fully cooperating with GCPD and the investigation.
“GCPD has been in consultation with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Glynn County District Attorney regarding this investigation. Interim Chief O; Neal Jackson encourages citizens who may have more information to come forward or contact the Glynn County Police Department. You can do so by phone or email via the Silent Witness Program. Silent Witness: (912)-264-1333; 911silentwitness@glynncounty-ga.gov.”
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