Local authorities in Canada are investigating an attack that left a 14-year-old student unconscious at a high school in the city of Richmond.
Janice Xie, a 9th grade student at Hugh Boyd Secondary School, said a 17-year-old grade 11 student punched her in a school hallway, leaving her with a head injury on Thursday.
The victim said she was going down the stairs during lunch when the older student ran after her. Then he started hitting and insulting her.
“He called me a homophobic slur. He called me the ‘F’ slur and said all Asians are ugly and he hates all Asians,” Xie said.
She said CTV that her attacker had never had contact with her prior to the incident.
“He thought I was telling people he liked another girl when I didn’t,” she said. “And I don’t think I could have known anyway, because I never even spoke [sic] not him for that at all.”
Xie, who was rushed to hospital for treatment, suffered a concussion. She said the incident made her afraid to return to school.
The victim’s mother, Jordana Sorensen, rush to school after being told that Xie passed out twice after being kicked and punched.
Tim Sorensen, the victim’s father, later learned that their daughter was punched repeatedly in the face as she lay on the floor until other students intervened. He said local authorities had informed him that the alleged attacker would be formally charged with assault.
The incident is currently under investigation by the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Richmond.
According to Kpl. Ian Henderson, the male student involved, was arrested at the scene and released to a legal guardian.
“Due to privacy concerns and the limitations of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Richmond RCMP cannot release further details or the names of those involved,” Henderson wrote in a statement.
Henderson said details about the suspect have not been released to the media in accordance with the… Juvenile Criminal Law Actwhich states that information about a young offender may not be published.
Despite Xie’s fear of going back to school, she said she is getting support from friends and school counselors.
“Although I was afraid to go back, my friends made me feel better,” Xie said. “Everyone was texting me… they all comforted me and said I can stay with you all day if you want and [they’ll] take me to class and they’ll just stay by my side.”
David Sadler, communications director for the Richmond School District, issued a statement to: CBC noting that the school board is aware of its responsibility to promote a “positive climate and a safe, healthy environment”.
Sadler also wrote that every member of their school’s community must act in an “ethical, lawful manner that shows respect” for others.
A family friend, Susan Tran, has launched a campaign about: GoFundMe to help fund Xie’s “trauma therapy, medical and physical therapy”. According to Tran, part of the money raised will be used to help her and her family “get justice for this horrific act”.
Feature image via Susan Tran
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