LA PORTE, Texas – Disturbing video of a fight at a La Porte ISD school has many parents and students concerned about safety.
The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows two students attacking a fellow student in the hallway of La Porte High School on Tuesday.
Other students are seen watching and recording the fight, with no one trying to stop it. After about 20 seconds, another student is seen running down the hallway to help the student who was being attacked.
Christina Turrubiartes’ son was the target of the beat down. She said her son was planning to sell two students a belt for $200. When the students told her son they didn’t have the money, she said he refused to give them the belt and they started attacking him.
“You get a sick feeling in your stomach,” Turrubiartes said after watching the video.
She said her son was crying and scared but tried to put on a brave face. He did not suffer any major injuries.
On Wednesday the district had extra security on campus. Some students claimed the high school has a problem with bullies. Freshman Briana Salazar skipped school on Wednesday because she said she’s too scared to go to class.
“Some of us want to graduate, some of us want to make something of ourselves, and bullies like them are ruining it for us,” Salazar said.
The La Porte Police Department charged the two students who started the fight with class A assault. Investigators said they may charge a third student.
KPRC 2 contacted the school district about the video. A school representative released a statement:
"The safety and security of La Porte ISD students and staff is our top priority. Yesterday at La Porte High School, several students were involved in a physical altercation which resulted in injuries to one of the students. As always, we are very concerned about any fighting that takes place at school.
"After initial response by school administrators and school resource officers, the matter was referred to the La Porte Police Department, and we are cooperating fully with the police as they conduct their investigation. La Porte High School also is conducting a thorough review of the situation, and the students involved are being dealt with in accordance with our Student Code of Conduct.
"In addition, we have increased the presence of administrators and school resource officers at La Porte High School and, as is our practice, are reviewing policies, practices and procedures to try to determine how events such as this may be prevented."