Teen track runner who bashed opponent’s head rallies supporters in Virginia after getting assault charge

The Incident and Charges

A high school track meet in Virginia took an unexpected turn when a controversial incident involving Alaila Everett, a student from I.C. Norcom High School, sparked widespread attention. During a championship relay race last Tuesday, Everett was seen striking Kaelen Tucker, a junior from Brookville High School, on the head with a baton. The incident, captured on video, led to both Everett and her team being disqualified. The footage quickly went viral, prompting public debate and scrutiny. As a result of the incident, Everett was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. Tucker was later diagnosed with a concussion and a possible skull fracture. Despite the severity of the charges and the public backlash, Everett maintains that the collision was accidental, a claim she reiterated in interviews with local news outlets and "Good Morning America."

The Rally and Community Support

In a show of solidarity, dozens of supporters gathered outside I.C. Norcom High School on Thursday for a rally organized to support Everett. The rally occurred just a day after the charges were announced, demonstrating the community’s swift response to the situation. During the event, Everett delivered an emotional speech, fighting back tears as she thanked her supporters. "Thank y’all for supporting me," she said, her voice trembling. "There’s no one else that wanted to hear my story, except the people that know me and people that know I would never do anything like that. I would never harm anybody. I’m not a fighter, I’m not even confrontational, I wouldn’t even do that on purpose, and I thank y’all for believing in me. I love y’all," she added. Her words were met with loud applause and chants of "We stand with you" from the crowd.

The rally also featured speeches from community leaders, including Portsmouth NAACP President James Boyd, who condemned the racial slurs and death threats directed at Everett and her family. "The Everett family has experienced racial slurs, they’ve experienced death threats, and we think unequivocally that those things are unacceptable," Boyd said. Local community activist Germain Green also spoke, calling for unity and expressing outrage at how Everett’s character had been unfairly maligned. "It bothered me to my heart to see how the whole world was dragging this young lady, dragging her character based on what they thought they saw," Green said. "I just wanted to step up, speak out, and bring unity and let this young lady know that the city of Portsmouth has her back."

The Community’s Reaction and Defense of Everett

The rally highlighted the strong support Everett has within her community, with many defending her character and questioning the narrative presented in media coverage of the incident. The Portsmouth NAACP released a statement prior to the charges being announced, describing Everett as an honor student and standout athlete who has consistently demonstrated integrity. "Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER, and media headlines that allude towards that in any way is shameful," the statement read. "From all accounts, she is an exceptional young leader and scholar whose athletic talent has been well-documented and recognized across our state. She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field, and any narrative that adjudicates her guilty of any criminal activity is a violation of her due process rights."

The NAACP’s statement underscored the organization’s belief in Everett’s innocence and criticized the media for rushing to judgment. The statement also emphasized the importance of waiting for the legal process to unfold before assigning blame. "We understand the sensitivity of the circumstances for both athletes and their families involved, but this narrative must not go unaddressed," the NAACP said. This sentiment was echoed by many in attendance at the rally, who expressed frustration at what they perceived as unfair treatment of Everett.

Official Responses and Investigation

While Everett and her supporters maintain her innocence, the incident has been met with serious concern from officials and the broader community. The Virginia High School League (VHSL) issued a statement to Fox News Digital, emphasizing the importance of player safety and defending the disqualification of Everett and her team. "The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner were appropriate and correct," the league said. "We thoroughly review every instance like this that involves player safety with the participating schools. The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition."

The Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Office confirmed that a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery had been filed against Everett. The case is currently under investigation, and no further details have been released. Meanwhile, the Portsmouth Public School District has not commented on the matter, though Fox News Digital has reached out for a statement from the district and the Everett family. As the legal process moves forward, the situation remains contentious, with many calling for a fair and impartial investigation into the incident.

Everett’s Defense and the Broader Implications

Everett’s defense hinges on her claim that the collision was accidental, a position she has consistently maintained in interviews and public appearances. While some have questioned the plausibility of her explanation, her supporters argue that the footage does not conclusively prove intent. The incident has sparked broader conversations about the challenges of interpreting intent in high-pressure sports environments and the potential for misunderstanding in split-second decisions. Everett’s supporters argue that she should not be judged solely on the viral video without considering the full context of the situation.

As the case continues to unfold, it has also drawn attention to the importance of due process and the impact of public perception on ongoing legal proceedings. The rally and the outpouring of support for Everett highlight the emotional stakes involved, not just for her but for her family and community. While the charge against her is serious, her defenders argue that she deserves the benefit of the doubt until proven guilty. The situation serves as a reminder of the complexities of balancing accountability with compassion in cases involving young people, particularly in high-pressure environments like sports competitions.