A high school track athlete in Virginia is facing charges after allegedly hitting a rival competitor with a baton during a relay race, an incident that was captured on video and has since gone viral. The Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has charged Alaila Everett with assault and battery for the incident, which occurred as she was overtaking another runner on the track. Everett maintains that the incident was unintentional.
Everett explained to Scripps News that the other runner was in close proximity to her, causing her to lose her balance when she pumped her arm, which held the baton. The video footage shows the other runner, Kaelen Tucker, falling to the ground after being struck. Tucker sustained a concussion and potentially a skull fracture, according to authorities. The incident took place last week during the Virginia state championship meet at Liberty University.
While some have accused Everett of intentionally swinging her baton out of frustration for being overtaken in the race, the local NAACP chapter has defended her. They issued a statement asserting that Everett is not an attacker and that media headlines suggesting otherwise are shameful. They emphasized the need to address the narrative surrounding the incident, given the sensitivity of the circumstances for both athletes and their families.
The NAACP chapter further highlighted Everett’s accomplishments as an honor student and a star athlete at the historic I.C. Norcom High School. They described her as an exceptional young leader and scholar, whose athletic talent has been recognized across the state. They also stressed that she has consistently demonstrated integrity both on and off the field, and that any narrative suggesting her guilt of any criminal activity infringes on her due process rights.
As of Wednesday afternoon, it remains unclear whether Everett has secured legal representation or if she has been taken into custody.