Eighth-Grader Facing Felony Charges for Assaulting Black Female Teacher

Authorities in Texas arrested and charged an eighth-grade student who was filmed attacking a Black female teacher after the two got into a dispute over a cellphone. According to WFLA, the altercation occurred at Bowie Middle School.

Authorities have since charged the teen with first degree felony: Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant.

“This is shocking and terrible, and will not be tolerated,” spokesperson for the Ector County Independent School District , Mike Adkins, said. “We have been dealing with fights and violence recently, and want our community to know that that behavior is unacceptable and we will do all we can to prevent it.”

Besides the criminal charge, Adkins said the student will also “face disciplinary action through the Student Code of Conduct.”

“We have watched violence among children on the rise here, around the state and across the country; we know our children are hurting and need us to address mental health challenges, while we also hold them accountable for their actions. Our district will continue to address these concerns with students and families,” he added.

The superintendent for the district also said students within the district need to be offered more assistance to deal with mental health challenges. 

“We do not have enough mental health resources to meet the needs of kids and families in this community,” Superintendent Scott Muri . “We’ve brought in teletherapy, our kids now have access to therapists remotely. These therapists exist in other parts of our state. That is now an opportunity at ECISD, but even with that addition there still aren’t enough resources for kids and families.”