A 15-year-old student recently arrived from Guatemala was assaulted by two peers while riding a school bus in Broward County, Florida. Captured on video by other students, the episode has raised alarm among parents, school officials, and the victim's family.
Details of the Attack
The incident unfolded on Thursday, May 8, when the seventh-grader at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood was targeted by two teenagers. Videos, taken by other students' phones, reveal one attacker slapping the victim with an open hand, while the other landed several blows to his body.
The victim did not retaliate and instead attempted to shield himself, as fellow passengers looked on and recorded without intervening. The bus driver stopped the vehicle and alerted the Davie police, who responded to the scene. Paramedics assessed the victim and released him to his mother.
Mother's Anguish and Legal Action
Deysi González, the boy's mother, expressed her distress, stating her son was emotionally traumatized and had not provoked the attackers. "I can't even sleep, that moment is burned into my mind, how he gets hit first, and he did nothing to them," she told local media. She also voiced her concern over the lack of intervention during the attack.
González recounted that her son arrived in the United States last December and began attending school in January. He currently does not speak English, which made it difficult for him to understand the attackers. In response to the situation, González sought the help of attorney Maribel Piza, who is pursuing criminal charges on their behalf. Piza emphasized the importance of raising awareness about school bus violence among parents.
Consequences and Responses
The teenager suffered a nosebleed, bruises, and later developed a head contusion. His mother confirmed he returned to school the following Monday. Broward County Public Schools described the incident as a "continuing dispute" and stated that disciplinary actions were taken against the two students involved, in accordance with the District's Student Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, Davie police reported that one of the students involved claimed the other frequently harassed him by touching his neck and shoulders. After asking him to stop without success, he slapped him. The assault was met with reciprocation, according to the police report.
Key Questions About the Broward School Bus Incident
What led to the attack on the student in Broward?
The attack stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the students, as per the school's report. One student claimed the other harassed him, leading to the physical confrontation.
How did the authorities respond to the incident?
The bus driver notified the Davie police, who responded to the scene. The victim was examined by paramedics and later reunited with his mother. Disciplinary action was taken against the aggressors by the school district.
What legal actions are being pursued?
Attorney Maribel Piza is working with the victim's family to pursue criminal charges, aiming to hold the aggressors accountable and raise awareness about violence on school buses.