A Florida high school student was arrested last week after violently attacking one of the school's paraprofessionals.
According to investigators, the 17-year-old special needs student at Matanzas High School was upset because the employee took his Nintendo Switch away from him during class. The student then chased after her in the hallway where the incident occurred.
The surveillance footage from the school shows the student—who is approximately 6'6" and 270 pounds—charge the victim, pushing her several feet into the air and knocking her to the floor causing her to lose consciousness. Footage also shows the student kicking and punching the victim repeatedly in the back and head while she remained unconscious.
When others noticed what was happening, they went to help the victim who was unable to defend herself in any way. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
You can watch the horrific incident below.
None— Fight Haven (@Fight Haven) 1677217176
Upon viewing the footage, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said:
"Quite frankly, it was shocking."
"This could have been a homicide. When you push people down like that, they hit their head, you never know the outcome."
"Fortunately, other students and other faculty members, administrators came and intervened."
Other viewers had similar thoughts and agreed with the decision to arrest the student.
\u201c@FightHaven He needs to go to prison! This is assault, not to mention how he is much larger than that woman. Nah this ain\u2019t it.\u201d— Coach Marcus Washington (@Coach Marcus Washington) 1677244888
\u201c@FightHaven This is worthy of going to jail for life just throw away the key \ud83d\udd11\u201d— Zachary Pernikliyski (@Zachary Pernikliyski) 1677224934
\u201c@FightHaven Charges were filed and I\u2019m glad. This is way too much\u2026he needs a lesson now before it gets more out of control.\u201d— Cool A$ Chick \ud83d\ude0a (@Cool A$ Chick \ud83d\ude0a) 1677400491
\u201c@FightHaven There needs to be real consequences or these things continue to happen.\u201d— EricT (@EricT) 1677225111
However, many also noted we don't have all of the information about the student and his needs.
\u201c@BoomerMays @FightHaven The teen actually does have special needs. Idk how none of y\u2019all can tell that from the way he\u2019s behaving in the video. He\u2019s punching and kicking her like he\u2019s 5 years old. And it\u2019s confirmed in the news reports that he\u2019s in IEP(education program for children with disabilities)\u201d— Boomer Mays (@Boomer Mays) 1677216663
\u201c@FightHaven This kid definitely did something wrong 100% but if he is special needs there are ways you go about things. If his switch is a coping mechanism or something that keeps him calm contacting the parents would of been enough. Very sad situation for this teacher. Hope she is good.\u201d— Keedi\u2661 (@Keedi\u2661) 1677284587
\u201c@FightHaven He\u2019s so clearly special needs I think there\u2019s more to the story that ofc hasn\u2019t been told so I don\u2019t have much opinion\u201d— \ud835\udd53\ud835\udd5d\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd54\ud835\udd5c \ud835\udd54\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd57\ud835\udd56\u0301 (@\ud835\udd53\ud835\udd5d\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd54\ud835\udd5c \ud835\udd54\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd57\ud835\udd56\u0301) 1677421604
\u201c@FightHaven The is a horrible situation, it\u2019s hard for me to imagine what kind of anger this young man is carrying he needs help. I\u2019m so sorry for the teacher that had to go through\u2026 I pray for her fast recovery. \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffc\u201d— Leticia Gonzalez (@Leticia Gonzalez) 1677365598
\u201c@FightHaven What a sad situation. The student is clearly on the spectrum and most people don\u2019t understand that he can\u2019t control his emotions. Obviously I feel bad for the teacher as she was just doing her job and they can\u2019t really do much about the reaction\u201d— Free Blueface (@Free Blueface) 1677285896
Several viewers were also baffled by the lack of urgency displayed by those witnessing the event unfold.
\u201c@FightHaven This security guard should be arrested\u201d— Peter Ndlovu (@Peter Ndlovu) 1677217109
\u201c@FightHaven Umm could that GUY lack any less sense of urgency? The women sprint while the dude just strolls on up...pathetic on some many levels\u201d— Katie Thulin (@Katie Thulin) 1677259578
\u201c@FightHaven Just watches and walks away. Not even a flinch towards assisting. How can you watch this and not jump into action?\u201d— Sage Naumann (@Sage Naumann) 1677303181
\u201c@FightHaven Why is the man in the uniform casually walking toward the fiasco? How about some pep in that step?\u201d— Sla\u0111ana (@Sla\u0111ana) 1677242429
\u201c@FightHaven He got off nearly 20 blows because that dude in the blue pants was taking his sweet time.\u201d— BOXINGisJAZZ\ud83c\udfba\ud83e\udd4a (@BOXINGisJAZZ\ud83c\udfba\ud83e\udd4a) 1677220194
The victim has been an employee of the district since 2004, but has only been a teacher's aide at Matanzas since 2021. The district has not released any information regarding her current condition, nor any information about the student involved due to confidentiality concerns.
There are two school resource deputies (SRDs) on campus every day, but it took several minutes for them to arrive at the scene because of the large size of the school.
The student was escorted from the scene and later placed in custody. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and then turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice. He has been charged with Felony Aggravated Battery with Bodily Harm.
Footage of the student's arrest was released and can be viewed below.
\u201cThe arrest...\u201d— Fight Haven (@Fight Haven) 1677217176
In a news release, Sheriff Staly said:
"The actions of this student are absolutely horrendous and completely uncalled for."
"We hope the victim will be able to recover, both mentally and physically, from this incident."
"Thankfully, students and staff members came to the victim's aid before the SRDs could arrive."
"Our schools should be a safe place - for both employees and students."
Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt shared:
"Creating a safe learning and working environment on our campuses is critical."
"Violence is never an appropriate reaction."
