Student who attacked fellow student and ripped away their Pride flag is suspended and charged with assault

A high school student in Valdosta, Georgia, has been charged with assault and suspended from school after appearing in a viral video attacking another student and ripping away a Pride flag the victim was wearing.

The video was shared by a Twitter user named “Jose” who claimed to be a former student at Lowndes High School student, and shows a student Jose identifies as Andrew Hunter, running up to another student sitting at a lunch table with a Pride flag wrapped around them.

Hunter then pulls the victim out of their seat and knocks them to the ground before throwing the flag in the trash.

A female student can be seen in the foreground laughing at the ordeal.

According to the Valdosta Daily Times, Hunter was charged with disorderly conduct, simple battery and disruption of a public facility.

“We are aware of a social media video involving two students and a Pride flag,” said Rodney Green, Lowndes High School assistant principal. “We take the well-being and safety of our students seriously. Our staff works hard to provide a safe environment where all of our students feel valued. As soon as the Lowndes High School administration was aware, the matter was investigated, they ensured that the victim was not hurt and addressed the other student following the appropriate consequence outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.”

According to Jose, Hunter attacked the student after he was dared $5.

This is not the first time Lowndes High School has been in the news. In 2013, the body of student Kendrick Johnson, who was Black, was found upside down in a vertically stored gym mat. A state autopsy ruled the 17-year-old’s death accidental, and a federal review of the case ended in 2016 when the Department of Justice announced it had not found “sufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges.” As WRBL points out, the Johnson family has maintained their son died of foul play and have filed multiple lawsuits against dozens of defendants over the years.

Watch the video below:

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.