Lawrence student attacked in graphic school bus video – Boston 25 News

“He hit my son and my son didn’t hit back. Why do you keep hitting him?” she said. “Right now my son is here. It’s a miracle.”

Cellphone video taken by a student shows a classmate trying to hold back the attacking student, while another yells at him to stop. Others film the incident as the victim shields his face from the blows.

Catheran took her son to the emergency room on Monday and said he was briefly examined and given Tylenol, but after a long wait at the hospital they returned home late that evening. She said her son is physically fine, but they are both shaken.

“He had a headache and bruises,” Catheran said. “I’m very disappointed, you know? I’m worried. I’m worried about myself and my son.”

The student can also be heard threatening to shoot the victim.

Catheran says the school told her the student was suspended and police told her family charges would be filed against him.

Boston 25 News could not confirm these details because the suspect is a minor.

Catheran says she is waiting for the school’s plan to ensure her son’s future safety, but she tells Boston 25 News the bus driver did not notify the school or police that day about the incident.

“The bus driver stopped. That means he knew they were arguing. He needs to report it or call 911 and do his job as a bus driver,” she said. “You’re licensed to transport children. You have to be responsible for making sure the children get home safely, you know?”

However, Catheran believes the root of the problem is youth violence and she wants the community to work together to ensure no one is seriously injured.

“They’re just recording. They think this is a game. It’s not a game because my son might not be here today,” Catheran said of other students’ reaction to the attack. “This is something we need to work on. All parents need to come together and we need to work on this.”

Lawrence Public Schools said in a statement:

“Lawrence Public Schools is working directly with the families of the students involved in the incident, enforcing the LPS Code of Conduct, and assisting the Lawrence Police School Resource Officer Unit in their investigation. LPS also continues to work closely with its transportation provider to ensure all students are safely transported to and from school each day.”

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In a statement, NRT Bus said: “The safety of our students is our top priority and we are deeply concerned about this incident, which is currently under investigation.”

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates as more information becomes available.

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