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Student attacked because of her orientation, video posted online

[sighs]

I just came across the video and found some news articles related to it.  I'm not going to post the video here and fuel this teenage phenomenon of posting fight videos online.  Good to read that the FBI may get involved in this and I hope the girls involved in the fight and video are expelled from school permanently.

Quote:
ALLEGAN COUNTY - A fight on the last day of school at Wayland Union High School is caught on tape. Now the evidence has prompted a police investigation.

On Tuesday, video taken by an onlooking student shows freshman "Karol" having a conversation with someone when 2 girls attack her.

"They pulled me by the back of my hair and dragged me to the floor and beat me up.", said Karol. "my face is a little beat up other than that i'm fine."

Karol is the one in the black shirt. She seems okay, but her father is extremely angry.

"Two against one jumping her from behind...that's not a fight... that's a beating.", said Karol's father Steve. "I think this was planned out and i'd go as far to say i think it was more than the two girls involved."

So do police investigating the case. Authorities have been told by witnesses that the attackers changed clothes and pulled their hair back just before the fight started.

"We know that it was planned by looking at the school's video that a lot of the other students had known that it was coming down the line because they were kind of milling in the area.", said Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller.

It's Karol's first year in Wayland Public Schools. She says she'd gotten into an argument earlier in the day with the attackers involved, but that incident was broken up by a teacher.

"Both of our friends don't get along... our group of friends don't get along very well and I didn't like the two girls in the first place and they didn't like me.", said Karol.

Police believe name calling that went too far sparked the incident.

"The two suspects involved didn't believe in the sexual orientation of the victim involved and that's what bought the fight about.", said Chief Miller.

The school district is also investigating the incident. Officials have said the people who started the fight could wind up being expelled, and that might be just the beginning.

"We might be looking at federal charges maybe on intimidation for the sexual orientation on that as well.", said Chief Miller.

As for Karol, she says she's not angry about the fight.

"Sure my bumps and bruises will go away, but they're going to get expelled... they're in trouble with the courts... whose the real loser.", said Karol.

All of the girls involved in the incident are said to freshman at the high school.

At this writing, attempts to reach the other girls in the fight weren't met with a response.

Police say they'll talk with the FBI and turn their report over to the prosecutor who will determine if the girls who attacked Karol and the person who videotaped the fight will face any charges.

Link to article


Dude_Its_Alaina's picture

Thats sad, not cool at all.

I can't believe how vicious kids can be over something that doesn't even affect them! As you've said, I agree that its good that the FBI may (and I hope) get involved. I applaud the girl being able to stay calm and mature about the whole thing, but still, its horrible to know it happened.
Shorty AZK's picture

Oh, that is just shocking,

Oh, that is just shocking, but the girls response is brilliant, shows who the better person is!!
kbeen1's picture

this is bad. I heard of one

this is bad. I heard of one girl being ganged upon and beaten on video that was posted on youtube, so this could be a copycat reaction. Obviously, these girls want attention for being tough and bad. why else would they post it on public cyberspace: youtube. I think with cases like these the media sometimes can get too involved throwing oxygen to fuel a fire. best bet to stop it is hand it over to the authorities. I hope this is the last I hear of it.
angie_baby06's picture

people can be so cruel,

people can be so cruel, especially teens. it's no wonder why people usually don't come out until after high school. i really admire that girl's bravery and maturity about this whole thing.

lunakiss's picture

And it still ...

goes to show you no matter how hard you can advocate against school violence and bullying post Columbine...stupid kids will do viscious and stupid things. I'm glad the Police and now possibly the FBI will charge these girls. Schools need to reinterate no violence on campus and enforce it with severe punishment.  Since the girls committed a crime like an adult they should be charged like an adult.  I'm glad the victim is a mature young womyn.
My Name Is Tara's picture

Wow..

This really upsets me.

This case reminds of the Lawrence King case in a way. :(


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