Sikh student’s turban set ablaze during school fire drill
A routine fire drill at Hightstown High School in Mercer County turned terrifying for one student.
As students gathered outside on school grounds one morning last week, someone came up behind a 16-year-old junior, a member of the Sikh faith, and allegedly set the boy’s turban on fire.
His hair was singed in several places, but he was otherwise unhurt, according to his uncle, Harjot Pannu.
“He felt like a bee stung him, and he patted on it,” said Pannu. “Next thing he knew, a teacher came over and told him he was on fire.”
An 18-year-old Hightstown senior, Garrett Green, was arrested hours later and charged with arson and criminal mischief, said Ben Miller, an investigator with the Hightstown Police Department.
