Transgender Teen Suffers Broken Jaw In Attack At Hopkins High School: Reports

HOPKINS, MN — An attack on a transgender student at Hopkins High School left the girl with a broken jaw, prompting a police investigation into a possible hate crime and a rally attended by hundreds who turned out to support the injured teen, according to reports.

When Cobalt Sovereign went to use the bathroom on May 30, another student looked over the stall at her and repeatedly called her a homophobic slur, Sovereign told KARE 11, adding that she confronted the student verbally and was struck.

"I was hit in the jaw and at the time one of my teeth exploded, pieces in my mouth," she said to the outlet. "My jaw was broken in two places ... molar, just shattered."

There are gender-inclusive bathrooms at Hopkins High School, but they are often occupied or hard to access, Sovereign told KARE 11, adding that using the men’s bathroom is uncomfortable for her but that she chooses it over the possibility of causing discomfort for others in the women’s bathroom.

The student accused of striking Sovereign was disciplined immediately, the school confirmed to KARE 11.

Hopkins Public Schools in a statement to KSTP said that it “values diversity and inclusion” and will support marginalized groups, “including our LGBTQ+ scholars and staff.”

Authorities in Minnetonka received a 911 call about the attack from a member of Sovereign’s family and are investigating the case as a potential hate crime, according to the Star Tribune, which added that law enforcement has no record of the district filing a police report.

Hundreds gathered Wednesday outside the school to seek action, according to FOX 9. The rally to support 17-year-old Sovereign was organized by Queer Equity Institute, KSTP reported.