HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Mother and father of a youngster who was violently attacked after a highschool basketball rivalry sport took their issues to the Spring Department ISD college board Tuesday evening, demanding justice and accountability.
The assault occurred on February 4, 2024, after the varsity basketball sport between Stratford Excessive College and Memorial Excessive College, a long-standing rivalry that spans a long time. The sport, performed at a impartial web site, led to violence when a Stratford pupil was ambushed within the parking zone, based on the teenager’s mother and father.
Heidi Harris, the sufferer’s mom, says her son continues to be recovering from accidents sustained in what she describes as an unprovoked assault that occurred within the parking zone of the Spring Department ISD’s Don Coleman Coliseum.
“He has a head harm,” Harris acknowledged. “Our son was at a college occasion and it is vitally jarring as a dad or mum to have your youngster attacked.”
Based on Harris, her son was strolling to his automobile, carrying his Stratford Excessive College inexperienced, when the highschool junior was abruptly struck from behind, thrown to the bottom, after which repeatedly punched and kicked.
“One of these legal habits within the identify of college sports activities rivalry is madness,” she stated.
Harris and her husband addressed the college board, recounting the trauma their son endured.
“Are you able to think about how scary it have to be to get attacked by a gang?” they requested, expressing frustration that nobody has been held accountable regardless of two weeks passing because the incident.
“We’re frightened that with the passage of time, this assault might be swept underneath the rug, permitting them to actually disguise behind their masks.”
Harris says a gaggle of 5 – 6 Memorial college students, carrying ski masks, carried out the assault whereas many others watched. The assault solely ended when Stratford Excessive College Principal Raymorris Barnes intervened to rescue her son.
For the reason that assault, tensions between the 2 colleges have escalated. The Memorial Excessive College Booster Membership presidents have issued an apology for an insensitive publish, and there are rising requires a Memorial Excessive College pupil group allegedly concerned to be disbanded.
Spring Department ISD has confirmed the incident is underneath investigation however has not offered additional particulars. The Harris household acknowledges the district’s compassion however insists that extra have to be accomplished.
“We wish justice, accountability, and sufficient punishment for these accountable.”
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