Excessive Faculty Sprinter Charged with Assault After Placing Competitor within the Head with Metallic Baton Throughout Observe Race

A highschool sprinter was charged with assault after hanging a competitor within the head with a metallic baton throughout a observe race.

In keeping with ABC Information, 13 Information Now, and WTKR, the incident occurred in the course of the second leg of the 4×200 relay on the Virginia Excessive Faculty League Championship held at Liberty College in Lynchburg earlier this month.

There, I.C. Norcom Excessive Faculty senior Alaila Everett struck Brookville Excessive Faculty junior Kaelen Tucker with a baton within the head whereas working beside her.

Video footage exhibits Everett swinging her baton, showing to strike Tucker within the head earlier than Tucker drops her baton and runs to the facet. The I.C. Norcom Excessive Faculty staff was disqualified from the occasion. 

Bethany Harrison, the commonwealth’s legal professional for the town of Lynchburg, confirmed to the shops {that a} misdemeanor cost of assault and battery cost was issued towards Everett.

In an interview with WSET, Tucker stated she was “so in disbelief” after the incident, stating, “I didn’t even know. I didn’t know what had occurred.”

“I acquired hit within the head and I simply fell off the observe,” stated Tucker. The highschool junior did the interview alongside her mom, who stated Tucker has a “slight concussion” and “attainable cranium fracture.”

“I nonetheless cannot consider it. I am nonetheless in shock, like everybody’s texting me checking up on me, and I recognize that, however like I am nonetheless attempting to take all of it in, and I can not consider it occurred,” stated Tucker.

“I might by no means do this on goal,” Everett stated throughout an interview that aired on Good Morning America Tuesday, March 11. “That is not in my character.”

Whereas recalling the incident to WTKR, Everett stated, “She [Tucker] was touching me to the purpose the place I used to be pumping my arm, and the baton was hitting her arm. I lose my stability—my complete physique turns, after which I pump my arms, so she acquired hit.”

In keeping with 13 Information Now, I.C. Norcom’s athletic director and Everett’s father known as Tucker’s dad and mom to apologize, however the two youngsters haven’t been in touch.

Portsmouth Public Faculties advised PEOPLE in a earlier assertion that it instantly reported the incident to the Virginia Excessive Faculty League (VHSL), which is continuous an investigation into the matter.

“We’re cooperating with the VHSL in its work,” stated Dr. Lauren Nolasco, the chief communications officer for Portsmouth Public Faculties. “The division will assist and comply with the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its accomplished investigation.” Brookville Excessive Faculty didn’t instantly reply to PEOPLE’s earlier request for remark.

The Virginia Excessive Faculty League stated in a press release beforehand obtained by PEOPLE that it stood by its resolution to disqualify Everett. 

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The Portsmouth NAACP stated in a assertion that it was reviewing what occurred. PEOPLE reached out to the Lynchburg commonwealth’s legal professional for remark.