'Disturbing' school bathroom fight video goes viral

Hope Schreiber
·Writer
Footage of a student at Discovery Middle School in Granger, Ind. beating a peer has circulated on social media, causing parents alarm. (Photo: Facebook)
Footage of a student at Discovery Middle School in Granger, Ind. beating a peer has circulated on social media, causing parents alarm. (Photo: Facebook)

Video of a Discovery Middle School student in Granger, Ind. repeatedly hitting a peer in the face and head has gone viral after it was shared to social media.

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The incident, which occurred on Monday during a passing period in a boy’s bathroom, resulted in St. Joseph County Police being called to the scene, according to ABC 57.

According to WNDU, the principal of the school, Sheryll Harper, sent a letter to families addressing the violent video, and to clarify rumors that have been circulated online regarding the footage.

“Teachers on hall duty heard the disruption in the bathroom, and while it is not seen on the video, the teachers did intervene quickly,” the letter reads.

Once the three students — a 14-year-old boy who hit another 14-year-old student and a third boy who filmed the incident — left the bathroom, they were allegedly stopped by staff. Harper also disputed online rumors that the victim of the attack is on the autism spectrum, stating that all three boys involved were general education students.

Harper claims that the school began their investigation immediately and contacted the parents of the students involved. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, she is unable to disclose the details of the disciplinary measures but says that they were aligned with the student handbook.

The police report reads that the student punching his peer in the video and the student filming the attack were allegedly suspended. The report also shows that the principal told officers one student spit on another before spring break, which may have instigated the fight.

“I know many of our families and students have seen the video and have since learned that it has also been shared with local news media. It is disturbing in nature on many levels,” Harper wrote in the letter sent to families. “This incident serves as a stark reminder to please reinforce with your children the importance of reporting any and all unsafe behavior or situation immediately to an adult, especially when something is actively taking place. This is something we discuss frequently in school … see something, say something!

“The safety of your child and all our students is a top priority for Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. We take these matters very seriously, responding immediately with the appropriate action.”

Harper did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s requests for comment.

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