A Southern Maryland community is reeling from a shocking incident at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, where a local elementary school played down a serious incident involving a Black student. The incident, which many are calling an attempted lynching, involved a 7-year-old boy who was allegedly choked and hanged by a classmate in a school bathroom.

INCIDENT

On November 15, the victim was hospitalized after the encounter, which raised significant safety concerns and racism in schools. The victim’s mother took to social media to express her outrage, stating: “My child who is in second grade was hanged in the boys bathroom by a fourth grader.” Her post quickly went viral, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

In her emotional response, she described her son’s physical injuries, noting visible bruising on his neck and marks under his eyes, which she attributed to suffocation. She emphasized the trauma her son is going through, stating, “He is traumatized. It will take time. This is not something that will happen overnight.” This statement emphasizes the long-lasting effects such incidents can have on young children.

The school’s response

In stark contrast to the mother’s account, director Carrie Burke issued a statement who tried to downplay the incident, referring to it as “horseplay”. In her communication with parents and staff, Burke described how the situation unfolded, claiming the student’s jacket got caught on the stall door hook, resulting in an accidental suffocation. She suggested that the incident could have been misinterpreted as a suicide attempt, further fueling community outrage.

The victim’s mother responded in disbelief to the principal’s explanation, wondering how horseplay could lead to such a serious situation. Her insistence on accountability reflects a broader demand for transparency and justice in cases involving racial violence.

Racial undertones

The mother also highlighted a disturbing comment made by the alleged perpetrator during the incident, declaring: “I’m going to show how I did people back then.” This statement raises serious concerns about bullying and the racial dynamics at play in the school environment. The mother fears her son’s experience may not be an isolated incident, suggesting other children may have faced similar threats.

Community reaction

The community rallied around the victim’s family, demanding accountability from the school district. In response to the growing outrage, the school district released another statement insisting they are not hiding anything and that investigations are ongoing. However, many members of the community remain skeptical of the school’s handling of the situation.

This incident echoes a similar case in Massachusetts, where a white teenager faced attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to drown a black boy while using racial slurs. The parallels between these cases highlight a disturbing trend of racial violence among young people and the need for serious discussions about racism in schools.

The incident at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School serves as a stark reminder of the current issues of racism and violence facing students of color in America. As the community searches for answers and justice for the young victim, it is crucial to address the systemic issues that allow such incidents to occur. The call for accountability and change is stronger than ever as parents and advocates demand a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

As this story develops, it will be critical to monitor responses from the school district and local authorities to ensure that justice is served and that steps are taken to prevent future incidents.