Video shows teenager choking fellow middle school student
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COVINGTON, Wash. -- A choking incident at a local middle school left one teenager in the hospital and another in juvenile detention.
The entire incident at Mattson Middle School was caught on tape. The video shows students walking in the hall when a 14-year-old boy grabs a much smaller 13-year-old boy from behind, gripping him in a headlock. After just 10 seconds, the unconscious 13-year old hits the concrete.
Some students at the middle school spoke out about the choking.
"It's school and you go there to get an education and not to fight," said student Cody Crook.
The 13-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital but released soon after. The 14-year old was arrested and is being held in a juvenile detention center under 22 hour lockdown.
According to court documents, the 14-year old told authorities he was only "messing around," but school officials say the chocking was no accident.
Chris Loftis of the Kent School District said a month ago several students took part in what was described as a "choking game," but he said this recent incident wasn't part of a game.
"This was an unfortunate but simple assault," he said. "As you see in the video, the young men brush past each other. There's words exchanged and I'm afraid the smaller of the boys got the worst of it."
The attacker's mother strongly disagrees.
"I know my son and I know he would not intentionally (hurt anyone). I mean, that was serious and he gets that." the mother said. "He is horrified, he is sad, he is very remorseful. That is not something that he was trying to physically hurt somebody."
The 14-year old will have a court appearance on Wednesday. Until then, he'll remain under lockdown in a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
The entire incident at Mattson Middle School was caught on tape. The video shows students walking in the hall when a 14-year-old boy grabs a much smaller 13-year-old boy from behind, gripping him in a headlock. After just 10 seconds, the unconscious 13-year old hits the concrete.
Some students at the middle school spoke out about the choking.
"It's school and you go there to get an education and not to fight," said student Cody Crook.
The 13-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital but released soon after. The 14-year old was arrested and is being held in a juvenile detention center under 22 hour lockdown.
According to court documents, the 14-year old told authorities he was only "messing around," but school officials say the chocking was no accident.
Chris Loftis of the Kent School District said a month ago several students took part in what was described as a "choking game," but he said this recent incident wasn't part of a game.
"This was an unfortunate but simple assault," he said. "As you see in the video, the young men brush past each other. There's words exchanged and I'm afraid the smaller of the boys got the worst of it."
The attacker's mother strongly disagrees.
"I know my son and I know he would not intentionally (hurt anyone). I mean, that was serious and he gets that." the mother said. "He is horrified, he is sad, he is very remorseful. That is not something that he was trying to physically hurt somebody."
The 14-year old will have a court appearance on Wednesday. Until then, he'll remain under lockdown in a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
Good job parents...cover your child's unacceptable behavior !!