Ann Arbor police complete probe of alleged assault on Skyline High student
Ann Arbor police detectives plan to turn over a report to Washtenaw County prosecutors Monday containing the findings of their investigation into the alleged assault of a 16-year-old Muslim student from Skyline High School.
It will be up to prosecutors to decide what charges to file against those involved in the Sept. 8 fight, police said. Detectives interviewed at least 10 people during the probe.
The girl reported needing six stitches after people attacked her, yelled racial insults, and pulled off her headscarf, according to the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR officials have said the attackers are black.
School officials have said an argument began on a school bus about 3:30 p.m., and students were dropped off across North Maple Estates. The bus driver believed the argument had settled down, officials have said.
As the bus driver drove off, the fight restarted, officials have said, involving a total of five to seven freshmen and sophomores. The school took disciplinary action against those accused of being involved, but did not provide details on the discipline.
Comments
Sherry
Tue, Sep 22, 2009 : 8:12 p.m.
I commented on my Native American Godson being beaten up and the drivers never did a thing. I also said that this was not just an isolated incident and that it happens to all children of all races and yet it is not reported. I also said how the bus drivers do have kids bring them food in the morning to eat and if they were not so busy eating or talking on their cell phones, maybe they could then do their job. I also asked why they do not put volunteers on the buses to look out for the children and to watch the drivers as well. I even agreed with a person who had written in and my comment has been deleted? Guess I must have hit a nerve of TRUTH??
An
Tue, Sep 22, 2009 : 10:18 a.m.
Interesting. No answer to my question.
An
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
Quote: 6 White Kids beating up a black kid, regardless of who started it and yelling racist slurs = hate crime. 6 Black Kids beating up a muslim kid, regardless of who started it and yelling racist slurs = hate crime. It is pretty cut and dry to me. A2 either has 0 tolerance or it doesn't. Is it still a hate crime if it is 6 black kids beating up a white kid?
glimmertwin
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 5:46 a.m.
6 White Kids beating up a black kid, regardless of who started it and yelling racist slurs = hate crime. 6 Black Kids beating up a muslim kid, regardless of who started it and yelling racist slurs = hate crime. It is pretty cut and dry to me. A2 either has 0 tolerance or it doesn't.
An
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 7:48 p.m.
If the school took action against the girl who started the fight, why is she on the bus again. Billy, do we happen to share a child? (just curious)
djm12652
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 5:57 p.m.
I agree with with Libby. If you [the author]plan on describing the victim by religious affliations...then the "alledged" attackers should be describd by their religion as well, NOT by the color of their skin. No where is the race of the victim listed.
Billy
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 4:18 p.m.
"The school took disciplinary action against those accused of being involved, but did not provide details on the discipline." Just noticed this at the end. It's nice to know our school system is teaching children that as long as they're accused they can be punished.
Lynn Lumbard
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 3:10 p.m.
If the school has taken disciplinary actions and the police have completed their investigation why is it still 5 to 7 attackers? It is 5, 6 OR 7... which is it?
clara
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 1:28 p.m.
Why is it "alleged" assault?
emma
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 1:01 p.m.
This is great news, assault should not go unpunished, especially when it is a group of males joining in on the beating of a girl. As for the alleged racist motivations, I cant judge that aspect based on news articles alone, I was not their when it happend.
bellahelena
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 11:53 a.m.
I am surprised by the Kinsey article earlier and how long it actually is taking for police to 'do their job"...this whole situation should be called what it is...assault and racism, regardless of the race of the alleged perps...they viciously attacked this girl and she required stiches...but the worst thign is, she will always remember it seemed simply because if who she is. These attackers should be expelled from school, regardless of what the idiotic Ann Arbor police do. They don't seem very bright or motivated towards truth and justice.
libby
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 10:29 a.m.
The writer of this news story is using the term Islamic incorrectly. The girl is a Muslim not Islamic. A Muslim is a person who believes in Islam. And how do we know for sure she is a muslim? Is it because she wears a headscarf? I think by stating that she had a headscarf on would let them know that she is a devout religious person. I suggest, in the future, lets not describe people, in the Ann Arbor news, by their religion unless you do it for everyone, such as those that are devout, would you want to refer to them as Evangelical Christians or Orthodox Jews?
jns131
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 10:21 a.m.
Currently right now you have to realize that Skyline just added a new group and grade this year. This adds to the tensions that the 10th graders are feeling. Meaning that they were first and feel encroached upon with this new group coming in. Studies have shown that as populations expand and grow, so do tensions and feelings of being crowded in ensue. This is so with Skyline. As for problems on the bus? I am being told all the buses at Skyline are having problems. The police are out in force and so is the principal too. They can only do so much once a child is released from the bus and heading home. I wish the family well. We all need to teach our children that peace is the answer. Not violence. Teach resolution not absolution. They will learn from home that talking it out works. Not always, but most.
truth
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 8:33 a.m.
regarding disciplinary action - if you are a parent, all you need do is read the rights and responsibilities in the back to school bulletin.
trace_effect
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 10:45 p.m.
Im going to agree with Sean. There is no excuse for it, its even worse when 6 people beat up a single girl, that is a superb example of cowardice.
Sean Eldon
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:59 p.m.
@CJH...frankly, it doesn't matter what the victim said (or didn't say); there is never an excuse for violence. Any adult who rationalizes schoolyard fights is missing something; fighting is never justified, violence should not be an option, and to teach kids otherwise is to do them a grave disservice.
CJH
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:49 p.m.
THANK YOU DJM,,,,,,,,,,,NUFF SAID
CJH
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:39 p.m.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, HOW DO WE KNOW THAT SHE DIDNT START THE ALTERCATION BY VERBAL INSULTS OR RACIAL SLURS? THERE ARE ALOT OF QUESTIONS TO THIS ARTICLE THAT ARE YET TO BE ANSWERED OBVIOUSLY,,,SO DONT BE SO SHALLOW, TO PUT IT NICELY
djm12652
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:35 p.m.
just because all involved were high school students, doesn't mean they were peers....same age but that appears to be about it...this can and does happen in A2, people need to remove the rose colored glasses...sad to say it but we do not live in a perfect world...
CJH
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:31 p.m.
MR SHICKS, TO KNOW THE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN IS FINE. MY WHOLE COMMENT WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT JREED SAID "SHE WAS BEATEN BECAUSE OF HERE RELIGOUS BELIEFS", HOW THE HELL DOES HE/SHE KNOW THAT? ASSUMPTION IS WHAT CREATES PREJUDICE
mrshicks1223
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:18 p.m.
I agree with jreed205. I would also be interested to see what the discipline is so I can talk to my teenagers about what they could face doing the same thing. My guess is that they won't charge them with a hate crime because then there would be a backlash. Typically hate crime is only charged when the victim is African-American, not the other way around. I've never heard of it happening any other way and if you do charge them with a hate crime, there will be law suits or something to face about violation of civil rights or something. Not worth it. I just hope this young lady's family members don't seek revenge. Then things could get really bad...
CJH
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 9:09 p.m.
jreed, first of all you dont know what happened. second of all, you dont know who was disciplined. Third of all, the school did take action, and last but not least, you dont know why she or if she was attacked, let alone, about her religous beliefs or opinion or POSSIBLY AN OPINION OF SOMEONE ELSES BELIEFS!!!!! Because according to this article you commented on everything that wasnt said.............
jreed205
Fri, Sep 18, 2009 : 8:50 p.m.
The school needs to let it be known what discilinary action was taken. Young adults need to understand what the consequences of their actions might be. The individuals that were involved need to be punished severly for such a stupid act. It is NOT okay to let this slip by. She was beaten because of her religious beliefs by a group of peers. This can not happen in an area where people of all races and religions interact daily to make this beautiful city.