An Oregon school has refused to comment on whether a school bully who was seen pulverizing a smaller girl to the floor of a middle school hallway is transgender.
The incident happened at Hazelbrook Middle School in Tualatin last week, with school spokesperson Traci Rose telling The Oregonian that federal law barred them from discussing a student’s gender identity.
Horrific video footage seen millions of times online showed the aggressor – a well-built student in girl’s clothes – dragging another smaller female pupil by her backpack in the hallway before pulling her hair and hitting her several times.
The attack was so violent it left the victim in floods of tears, with the girl filmed saying ‘I can’t breathe’ through sobs.
No further information has emerged on what triggered the beating – although the way in which it was filmed suggested it was pre-planned.
The two students names and ages have not been released but the clip has triggered outrage after being shared widely online. Commenters who claim the bully is transgender say it is a horrific example of girls’ safety being compromised to kotow to gender ideology. DailyMail.com has not been able to confirm whether the bully is indeed trans.
An Oregon school could not comment on whether a school bully who was seen beating a smaller girl to the floor is transgender
The incident happened at Hazelbrook Middle School in Tualatin and the student was seen dragging another pupil by her backpack in the hallway before pulling her hair and hitting her several times
The school was forced to evacuate everyone on Friday after threats of bombs and a school shooting were made following uproar over the attack
Tualatin Police Department arrested the alleged attacker who is now facing assault charges and the case has been referred to the Washington County Juvenile Department, according to Oregon Live.
The school was forced to evacuate everyone on Friday after threats of bombs and a school shooting were made following uproar over the attack.
Footage of the attack at Hazelbrook Middle School sparked backlash on social media.
A student in a green hoodie and black trousers is seen violently pulling a smaller girl to the ground by her backpack.
The alleged attacker then hits her before dragging her by the hair and smacking her another four times.
It was shared by former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines who campaigns against the participation of transgender women in women’s sports after being forced to race against controversial trans athlete Lia Thomas.
Bomb threats were made against the homes of school and district staffers and city officials the day after the clip was shared.
Hazelbrook Middle School was forced to evacuate its staff and students after threats were also made about a school shooting. The intimidating messages came via social media and email.
The school board released a statement on Thursday about the video and how those shown in it had not consented to it being shared.
Video of the incident went viral on Thursday with unproven claims the student hitting the girl is transgender
The student, in a green hoodie and black trousers, is seen violently pulling a smaller girl to the ground by her backpack
The alleged attacker then hits her before dragging her by the hair and smacking her another four times
The crying victim, picks herself up slowly, saying, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t do anything,’ and tells the other students she can’t breathe
It said the clip has inspired ‘false information and a focus and discourse on sexual identity.
‘These acts have contributed to the trauma individuals and families are already experiencing.’ No clarification was given on what ‘false information’ was being shared.
A petition began circulating on Friday among parents who called for stricter consequences for student violence, especially for repeat offenders.
Soon after, a second incident was shared online which allegedly involved the same student shoving another girl to the ground.
A third pupil tried to get involved and the alleged attacker began hitting her before throwing her to the ground and continuing to swing punches.
The fight quickly ended after an adult’s voice was heard leading them to back away.
Dr Sue Rieke-Smith, superintendent of the district, said the second incident looked ‘horrific’ but that had been addressed by the principal and her staff.
‘Now that [the second video] has come to this office’s attention, I too am concerned about a repeated pattern and all the pieces around that,’ she said.
Dr Sue Rieke-Smith, superintendent of the district, said the second incident looked ‘horrific’ but that had been addressed by the principal and her staff
The school board released a statement on Thursday about the video and how those shown in it had not consented to it being shared
‘I have to get more information from the school so I can understand that incident, how it was investigated and how it relates to the [other] one. That is the work that is ahead of me.’
She defended the district’s discipline policy which points to how students can learn from their mistakes, especially for minor behavior violations. This can include bullying and physical contact that isn’t assault.
‘Zero tolerance is antithetical to our work as educators,’ she said on Friday.
‘If it is safe for the victim and the school community as a whole to extend an opportunity for the student to relearn different behavior, that is what we do.’
But once it escalates to an assault, she said ‘there is no tolerance for that. That is an immediate referral to law enforcement and that is what happened’ in the incident which went viral.
DailyMail.com has contacted Hazelbrook Middle School and Tualatin Police Department for comment.
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