A high school sprinter was charged with assault after striking a competitor in the head with a metal baton during a track race.
According to ABC News, 13 News Now, and WTKR, the incident occurred during the second leg of the 4×200 relay at the Virginia High School League Championship held at Liberty University in Lynchburg earlier this month.
There, I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett struck Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker with a baton in the head while running beside her.
Video footage shows Everett swinging her baton, appearing to strike Tucker in the head before Tucker drops her baton and runs to the side. The I.C. Norcom High School team was disqualified from the event.
Bethany Harrison, the commonwealth’s attorney for the city of Lynchburg, confirmed to the outlets that a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery charge was issued against Everett.
In an interview with WSET, Tucker said she was “so in disbelief” after the incident, stating, “I didn’t even know. I didn’t know what had happened.”
“I got hit in the head and I just fell off the track,” said Tucker. The high school junior did the interview alongside her mother, who said Tucker has a “slight concussion” and “possible skull fracture.”
“I still can’t believe it. I’m still in shock, like everyone’s texting me checking up on me, and I appreciate that, but like I’m still trying to take it all in, and I can’t believe it happened,” said Tucker.
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“I would never do that on purpose,” Everett said during an interview that aired on Good Morning America Tuesday, March 11. “That’s not in my character.”
While recalling the incident to WTKR, Everett said, “She [Tucker] was touching me to the point where I was pumping my arm, and the baton was hitting her arm. I lose my balance—my whole body turns, and then I pump my arms, so she got hit.”
According to 13 News Now, I.C. Norcom’s athletic director and Everett’s father called Tucker’s parents to apologize, but the two teenagers have not been in contact.
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Portsmouth Public Schools told PEOPLE in a previous statement that it immediately reported the incident to the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which is continuing an investigation into the matter.
“We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work,” said Dr. Lauren Nolasco, the chief communications officer for Portsmouth Public Schools. “The division will support and follow the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its completed investigation.” Brookville High School did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s previous request for comment.
The Virginia High School League said in a statement previously obtained by PEOPLE that it stood by its decision to disqualify Everett.
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The Portsmouth NAACP said in a statement that it was reviewing what happened. PEOPLE reached out to the Lynchburg commonwealth’s attorney for comment.
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