Atlanta police have decided that a violent group attack on two gay student will no longer be designated a hate crime
Atlanta police have decided that a violent group attack on two gay students will no longer be designated a hate crime, reports Daily News.
Four students were charged after allegedly participating in the attack on two gay teens at Carver School of Technology.
16-year-old Tim Jefferson said that he was leaving the school with his friend when classmates began shouting racial and homophobic slurs. He claims that one student jammed a screwdriver right next to his eye and that the school principal stood by and did nothing to help.
Cell phone video shows dozens of students huddled around during a “5-round fight with punches being thrown by as many as 20 students at one point.”
Jefferson's mother said that he has been attacked about eight times this year because he is gay. She is transferring her son to another school because a student involved in the attack promised to shoot him if he returns.
A police report filed on Tuesday described the assault as two friends being jumped by a mob of 20 teens “because they were gay.” However, a spokeswoman said that video surveillance has changed the department's take on the attack which is no longer considered a hate crime.
The school has declined to comment.
Watch a report, which includes the disturbing cell phone footage, AFTER THE JUMP…
