VA Runner Who Hit Opponent With Baton Charged With Assault

LYNCHBURG, VA — A Virginia high school runner has been criminally charged after she struck her opponent in the head with a baton during a relay race at Liberty University last week, according to a report.

Alaila Everett has been charged with one count of assault and battery following the incident, according to a WTKR report citing the Lynchburg Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney.

Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, was running the second leg of the 4x200 relay finals during the Virginia High School League Class 3 indoor track and field championships on March 4 when she passed Everett, an athlete from I.C. Norcom High School.

As she did, Tucker told WSET she suddenly felt a blow to the back of her head.

A video of the incident taken by WSET showed Everett appear to raise her baton and use it to strike Tucker in the back of the head. Tucker then drops her baton and clutches the back of her head before falling toward the infield.

Following the incident, trainers assessed Tucker's injuries as officials quickly disqualified the Norcom runners. While Tucker was not diagnosed with anything at the meet, a trip to the doctor revealed she suffered a concussion and a possible fractured skull, she told WSLS.

While Tucker said the baton blow was deliberate, Everett's supporters said it was not and was due to the runners moving closely together on the track.

"When the young lady cut her off, my daughter couldn't pump her arms… no control where your arms go," Genoah Everett, Everett's father, said in an interview with 13News Now.

In a statement obtained by WAVY, Portsmouth NAACP defended Evertt.

“Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER and shamed some media coverages portraying her as such. The statement denounces the use of racial slurs and threats that have been directed toward the athlete."