In Missouri, near Hazelwood East High School, a distressing incident unfolded as a young girl suffered severe injuries during a brawl, as reported by the St. Louis County Police Department. The altercation, which took place on a Friday, was recorded and has since spread widely across the internet. The footage disturbingly captures a teenage girl forcefully throwing another girl to the ground, followed by repeated punches to the head and slamming her head against the concrete sidewalk multiple times.
As the injured girl lay on the ground trembling, the video reveals other teenagers embroiled in fights around her. The reasons behind this violent encounter remain unclear, and the identities of those involved have not been disclosed by the authorities. However, police spokesperson Vera Clay confirmed that the widely circulated video is linked to their ongoing investigation.
Responding to a distress signal at 2:32 p.m. on Friday, concerning a “fight in progress” at the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, St. Louis County police swiftly arrived at the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered a young girl with a severe head injury. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where she is currently battling for her life in critical condition.
In connection with the assault, a 15-year-old girl was apprehended on Saturday and is now in the custody of St. Louis County Family Court, facing assault charges. As of Thursday, there have been no further developments in the case, according to a police spokesperson.
The video of the incident has elicited strong reactions from the community and officials alike. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell described the footage as “sickening” and “difficult to watch” in a social media post. He emphasized that the juvenile court system has jurisdiction over the case and expressed his hopes for the victim’s full recovery, labeling the situation as “heartbreaking.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey condemned the incident as “evil” and indicative of a “complete disregard for human life.” He called for prayers for the victim and advocated for the assailant to be tried as an adult, suggesting that if the victim succumbs to her injuries, the charge should be escalated to homicide.
It remains uncertain whether the individuals involved in the altercation are students of Hazelwood East High School, which is located less than half a mile from the scene. The Hazelwood School District has labeled the event as a tragedy and highlighted the broader issues of bullying and fighting within the community. In a statement, the district called for collective responsibility and action towards resolving these issues for the well-being of children.
To support those affected by the incident, the school district has announced that a crisis team will be available to provide emotional support. The district also urged the community to show kindness and respect towards the families involved during this challenging time and to commit to improving the community as a whole.