A VIRGINIA high school senior has been charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery after hitting a fellow runner in the head with her baton during a relay race.
Video which has since gone viral shows Alaila Everett rounding the curve in the second leg of a 2x200m relay race when Kaelen Tucker attempts to overtake her.
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Everett’s baton hits Tucker on the head, who immediately dropped her own baton and collapsed off the track.
Tucker has since been diagnosed with a concussion and a possible fractured skull.
Everett is a student at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA, and insists the incident was purely accidental.
She told WAVY10 News that she lost her balance as Tucker passed her, making contact with the baton as she looked to regain control.
She adds that she has received death threats since the incident video went viral.
Students at I.C. Norcom High School held a rally in support of Everett on Thursday, which was attended by more than 50 people.
Everett was tearful as she spoke to the crowd, saying: “I love y’all… nobody else wanted to hear my story.
“I would never do anything like that, I would never harm anybody, I am not a fighter, I’m not even confrontational.
“Thank y’all for believing in me.”
The rally, organized by an I.C. Norcom parent, was also attended by the President of the Portsmouth NAACP James Boyd, who committed to protecting Everett from media villification.
He said: “She is not an attacker. Alaila is an honor student.
“We are not going to sit back and allow the criminal justice system to define her future.”
A statement released by the Portsmouth NAACP said Everett “is an exceptional young leader and scholar.
“She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field.
“Our hope is that this situation can be resolved with both athletes continuing their athletic pursuits without any implications.”
Tucker’s parents say the family is yet to receive an apology from Everett or any member of Norcom’s team staff.
Everett, though, said she has attempted to reach out to Tucker on social media and been blocked.
