Alaila Everett: US high school sprinter charged over mid-race baton attack on rival
It was viral vision that shocked the world: a high school sprinter appearing to hit a rival overtaking her in the lane next to her with a relay baton to the head.
The alleged victim, Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker, stumbles and then collapses to the ground suffering a slight concussion and a possible skull fracture. Her family believe it was deliberate and is fuming she did not receive an immediate apology.
The alleged attacker, I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett later tearfully denied it was intentional in an emotional TV interview.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Now, a court will decide the truth. Police have charged Everett with assault.
The outrageous alleged incident was caught on camera during the second leg of the 4x200m relay at the Virginia High School League Championship at Liberty University in Lynchburg earlier this month.
Lynchberg commonwealth attorney Bethany Harrison has confirmed that a misdemeanour charge of assault and battery charge was issued against Everett, according to People.
SEE THE VISION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
Everett has claimed the footage did not tell the full story. She told local outlet WAVY TV 10 that the baton hit was an accident.
“After a couple times of hitting her (as they ran side by side), my baton got stuck behind her back like this,” she said, gesturing upwards, “and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.”
“I know my intention is that I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt but you are not thinking about my mental right.”
Everett, who revealed she has been struggling since the incident, said she had been targeted by online trolls.
“They’re assuming my character, calling me ghetto, racist slurs, death threats, all of this, just because of a nine-second video,” Everett added.
“They’re going off of one angle.”
Soon after the incident, Tucker’s family member Tomarro Tucker said they were angry she had received no apology.
“My whole thing was no apology,” Tamarro Tucker said. “Like, no coaches, no athlete, no anything. Even if it was an accident — which I don’t believe it was — but nothing. And it’s been more than 24 hours now. So I guess that was the major thing.”
Kaelen said: “Why did you do it and why haven’t you apologised?”
Everett said she had tried to apologise but had been blocked on social media.
