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.
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.
However, many also noted we don't have all of the information about the student and his needs.
Several viewers were also baffled by the lack of urgency displayed by those witnessing the event unfold.
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.
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."
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