TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested a teen who authorities say attacked an unsuspecting student on Friday at a high school in Tampa.
The 15-year-old was arrested and is now facing a felony charge, according to the agency.
Deputies were alerted of an incident at Wharton High School, which was caught on video recorded by people who were there at the time of the attack, the sheriff's office said.
The student who was attacked reportedly was left with a broken collarbone, but they weren't left paralyzed.
"It is incredibly disheartening to witness young teens engaging in violent and thoughtless actions," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Bullying and violence should have no foothold in our county, particularly within our schools. It pains me to learn of a circulating video capturing such a distressing incident. Those who were involved in this incident ought to feel a sense of shame.
The sheriff continued: "I implore anyone who witnesses such acts not to stand by and record them, but rather to step in and prevent them. It is crucial that we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community, and I pray for the swift recovery of the victim."
The 15-year-old is facing a charge of felony battery.
In a statement, a Hillsborough County Schools spokesperson confirmed that the 15-year-old and two other students who recorded the video will be disciplined.
"Our schools have a variety of resources and supports, including a team of trusted adults, that students can go to if they are having issues with other students. We consistently remind students that there are other ways to resolve conflicts," spokesperson Jennifer Holton wrote in an email. "We as school leaders, parents, and community members need to be involved and help teens and young adults understand how they can address problems they may be having in a productive way."
