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COVINGTON, LA- According to reports, authorities are investigating an incident after an 18-year-old female student allegedly attacked a disabled 64-year-old teacher, knocking her from her wheelchair during what is suspected to have been a TikTok challenge.
The high school student was arrested in St. Tammany Parish and two others were arrested days later for posting the assault on social media.
The Covington Police Department (CPD) said the student, identified as 18-year-old Larrianna Jackson, was caught on video punching the 64-year-old teacher.
Watch below:
Officers believe the attack was likely prompted by a viral social media challenge circulating on TikTok, which involves users damaging school property or physically assaulting teachers. The “slap a teacher” challenged has allegedly inspired several recent violent acts at schools.
TikTok claims that it has seen no evidence of this trend.
The “challenge” has also prompted strong responses of condemnation from the California Teachers Association and the Connecticut attorney general.
Officers examined video of the incident, during which Jackson is seen approaching her seated teacher and punching her, knocking her to the ground. Jackson then proceeded to violently punch the teacher, at which point the video ends.
Just as police have been warning about a viral #SmackATeacher challenge, a 64 y/o disabled English teacher in Louisiana got viciously attacked and snatched from her seat unprovoked on camera that is now being investigated as being part of this challengehttps://t.co/PCltJY2jU4 pic.twitter.com/bWU57Gry7O
— JaVonni Brustow (Backup Page) (@MrBrustow) October 10, 2021
Police said another student was filming when a conversation between the teacher and Jackson turned violent. Due to injuries sustained by the attack, the teacher went to a hospital to seek medical attention. Officers alleged that the attack should be tied to the “slap a teacher” challenge. CPD said in a statement:
“In the video, you can see the school teacher sitting at her desk where she appears to be talking to Larrianna Jackson. After a moment, Jackson punches the teacher, causing the teacher to fall to the ground. As the teacher fell to the ground, Jackson continues to violently close fist-punch the teacher. The video turns off at this point.”
Jackson has been charged with battery of a school teacher, a felony and was taken to St. Tammany Parish Jail where she awaits prosecution. Two others who filmed the attack are also facing a charge of unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity.
The police department identified one of those additional suspects as 18-year-old Trinity Gervais. The third suspect was said to be a juvenile and has not been identified.
Disabled Louisiana teacher attacked by student in suspected TikTok challenge assault https://t.co/pJWNy3UrTd #FoxNews
— Florida Patriot Rick (@RickMiller53) October 8, 2021
St. Tammany Schools Superintendent Frank Jabbia said that he was “devastated” to watch the footage, adding:
“For this teacher to be having a conversation with a student and then to be assaulted in this manner was very disturbing.”
Jabbia also stated that all students involved would be disciplined. It is unclear if the assaulted teacher will return to the classroom. She has been released from the hospital, but will be monitored over the next few days. Jabbia added:
“She is hurting.”
CPD said in a statement:
“If you watched the video, it sounded like they knew this was about to happen, so we’re looking into it and there may be more arrests that come out of this.”
Last month it was the 'devious licks' challenge. This month it is the 'slap a teacher' challenge. One student was arrested in Louisiana after allegedly attacking a64-year-old disabled teacher to complete the challenge. Read my latest story below. https://t.co/plNrtQWvGp
— Asha Gilbert (@CoastalAsha) October 8, 2021
Police stated the investigation is ongoing, but they think the attack was likely motivated by the “slap a teacher” social media challenge circulating on TikTok. TikTok has denied that claim, tweeting that the “rumored ‘slap a teacher’ dare” is an insult to educators everywhere. The video-sharing platform added:
“And while this is not a trend on TikTok, if at any point it shows up, content will be removed.”
Fox News uncovered no search results for “slap a teacher” or related phrases on TikTok. However, there were 11 videos posted by teachers discouraging assaults on teachers.
Jabbia said he was not aware of any evidence that the incident was linked to the “slap a teacher” challenge, but said any acts of violence in the school system would not be tolerated.