A high school track championship shocked the entire nation which led to numerous public discussions and legal proceedings.
School championships took place at Liberty University Virginia where best student athletes fought for top ranks.
When the female relay team hit the track everybody saw something develop far beyond sports competition boundaries.
Junior track sprinter Kaelen Tucker from Brookville High School engaged in close races against senior Alaila Everett from I.C. Norcom High School who possesses renowned athletic talents.
Public viewers saw how Tucker attempted to pass Everett around the turning point but both runners grew increasingly aggressive.
During the race Everett suddenly hit Tucker with his relay baton in the back of her head to make her drop instantly onto the running track.
Everyone in the audience made sounds of shock and horror when they saw Tucker hurt badly and grabbing her head as medical professionals rushed to help her.
Tucker remembered several physical actions from Everett just before his hard hit rendered her unconscious leading people to wonder if he meant to hurt her.
The medical team found that Tucker got multiple head traumas including concussion which ended her basketball season.
Right after the incident Tucker’s family members showed their anger by stating they received no apology or support from Everett or any coaches.
According to Tamarro many thoughts of her daughter’s family rested on the injuries that Tucker sustained.
Everett explained her wrongdoing by crying while confirming she made an accidental mistake during the strike.
“I know my intentions, and I would never hit somebody on purpose,” Everett passionately stated, further detailing how her baton became entangled during the intense moment.
The backlash Everett’s family received on the internet caused racial harassment and danger so people in the community began fighting even more.
The public stood by Everett because she earned good grades and stayed devoted to sports without breaking any rules.
According to James Boyd, president of the Portsmouth NAACP, Everett does not belong to the group of attackers as he states. Alaila is an honor student.”
People who analyzed new footage details disputed Everett’s actions by showing her appear to move her arm toward the police officer intentionally before their physical contact.
Adding further complexity to the situation, professional lip-readers analyzed the video, alleging that Everett could be seen saying phrases like “Get off” and “hey oh” moments before the baton strike.
After the baton strike the officials punished Everett’s team by taking them out of the race for rule breaking.
The prosecutor Bethany Harrison filed an assault and battery charge against Everett despite minor actions in the case.
When Tucker’s family obtained protective orders against Everett they showed they wanted legal action even though race didn’t play a part.
Media coverage of this event sparked online and athletic community talks about how athletes should behave fairly plus how blacks and whites deal with each other plus what young athletes experience.
Mental health activists feared the psychological burdens that both athletes had to endure because people harshly judged them in public.
Credit: (Youtube/WSET ABC 13)
This situation taught everyone important lessons about how to conduct themselves properly in athletic competitions with young athletes.
New evidence discovered during official investigations led the community to question if Everett actually faced a baton strike when its authorities investigated the incident.
Feature Image Credit: (Youtube/WSET ABC 13) (WAVY TV 10)