(Screenshot from Twitter)
VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) | A Georgia teenager faces juvenile charges after he attacked a student who was draped in an LGBTQ pride flag in a school cafeteria, authorities say.
Video of the incident was recorded last week at Lowndes High School in the south Georgia city of Valdosta. It shows a male student charging across the cafeteria and jerking the flag from the second boy’s back as he falls to the floor. A third student tries to push away the attacker — who slams the flag into a garbage can.
Charges have been filed in a recorded incident involving a Pride flag taken from a student and trashed at Lowndes High School, the Lowndes County sheriff said Friday.
— The Daily Sneed™ ➐ (@Tr00peRR) September 3, 2021
Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk told The Valdosta Daily Times that the juvenile had been charged with disorderly conduct, simple battery and disruption of a public facility. Paulk said the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice — which detains some juveniles accused of misconduct — was called.
Lowndes High School Assistant Principal Rodney Green said the victim was not physically injured and that school officials investigated after learning of the video.
“We take the well-being and safety of our students seriously,” Green said. “Our staff works hard to provide a safe environment where all of our students feel valued.”
Green said the teen who attacked the student is facing “the appropriate consequence” — as listed in the school’s code of conduct.
