JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The grandmother of a Duval County Public Schools student says her family is now speaking with an attorney after her 11-year-old grandson was attacked by more than 10 teammates inside a Landmark Middle School locker room.
Sharonda Williams said the beating, which happened late last month, left her grandson injured and too afraid to return to school.
“It was very heartbreaking,” Williams said.
News4JAX reached out to DCPS multiple times about the incident. The district responded in part:
“We are aware of this allegation, and it is currently being investigated by both the school and Duval County Public Schools Police. The investigation process includes interviews with those involved and a review of all available evidence.”
According to Williams, that evidence includes photos she shared with News4JAX showing her grandson’s injuries and a medical report detailing his back and shoulder pain and a sprained ankle.
She said the family believes the attack happened because her grandson was set to become the team’s running back.
Williams said her grandson told her his teammates lied, said it was his birthday, then picked him up, threw him in the trash and “started beating on me.”
“They stomped on him with cleats,” Williams said.
Williams also shared what she said was a text message from one of her grandson’s coaches that references the incident. It reads in part:
“Hey I apologize for what transpired tonight, that’s not how we carry ourselves here at Landmark… that will not be tolerated AT ALL.”
News4JAX reached out to the coach directly for comment, and we’re waiting to hear back.
Williams said that since the incident, the sixth-grader hasn’t returned to school, rarely leaves the house and is having trouble sleeping.
“I spoke to the coach, asking please look out for him, please make sure he’s safe, and that’s what really hurt me is that (the adults) were out in the parking lot, there was no one in there,” Williams said. “(The players) were left in the locker room.
“We now don’t have trust when it comes to the school and the school system,” Williams added.
Moving forward, she wants the district to ensure adult supervision in all locker rooms to prevent similar attacks.
Williams said her family plans to withdraw her grandson from public school and enroll him in a private school.