WALLA WALLA — An assault at Walla Walla High School last week was most likely a gang-related retaliation for an earlier assault that occurred at a youth function at St. Patrick’s Church.

On Jan. 13, Walla Walla County Sheriff’s deputies investigated an assault on a 16-year-old male student who had been struck in the face while attending a woodshop class earlier that day at Wa-Hi; a 17-year-old male student was arrested in connection with the assault.

According to the Sheriff’s deputy report, the victim thought the attack was a retaliation for another assault that occurred on Jan. 10 at a Community Center for Youth function at St. Patrick’s Church.

In that incident, a 17-year-old was struck in the head with a board, resulting in a partial tear to his ear, which required medical treatment.

Both events are said to be related and part of a gang dispute, according to Walla Walla Police.