Middle School Incident Sparks Concerns About Student Safety
A recent incident at Hazelbrook Middle School in Tualatin, Oregon, has raised questions about the safety of students, but the school is staying mum about a key detail. A video emerged showing a larger student, who appeared to be wearing girl’s clothing, physically assaulting a smaller girl in a school hallway. The incident left the victim in tears, audibly expressing her distress with the words, “I can’t breathe.” However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Identity of the Students Remains Confidential
The identities of both the attacker and the victim have not been publicly disclosed. This incident, which garnered public attention after being shared online, has led to some speculating that the attacker might be transgender. Yet, at this point, there is no official confirmation regarding the student’s gender identity.
Legal Consequences
Tualatin Police have taken action, arresting the suspected attacker on assault charges. The case has now been referred to the Washington County Juvenile Department, as reported by Oregon Live.
Social Media Fallout
The video of the assault circulated widely on social media platforms, provoking outrage. Some of the online response included threats to the school, leading to the school’s temporary evacuation due to bomb and shooting threats.
School Responds
The school board issued a statement, expressing concern about the unauthorized sharing of the video and its impact on the discussion around sexual identity. The board emphasized that such actions have added to the existing trauma experienced by individuals and families affected.
Community’s Reaction
In response to the incident, parents have circulated a petition, calling for more severe penalties for students engaging in violent behavior, especially for repeat offenders.
A Second Incident
Another video surfaced, allegedly involving the same attacker. In this video, the student could be seen pushing another girl to the ground. A third student intervened, but the attacker continued to display aggressive behavior. The situation eventually de-escalated when an adult intervened.
District Superintendent’s Perspective
District superintendent Sue Rieke-Smith described the second incident as “horrific.” She assured that it had been addressed by the school’s principal and staff. Rieke-Smith expressed concern about patterns of behavior and pledged to gather more information.
Discipline Policy
The district’s discipline policy focuses on offering students an opportunity to learn from their mistakes, especially for minor behavior violations like bullying and non-assaultive physical contact. However, the superintendent clarified that zero tolerance is upheld in cases of assault, with an immediate referral to law enforcement.
The investigation into this troubling incident continues, and the school community seeks answers to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.