Runner who 'attacked' opponent with baton during major race claims new footage shows what really happened
A runner who has been accused of attacking her competitor has said new footage exonerates her.
In recent days, the moment a track runner appeared to hit another athlete with a baton in the back of the head went viral.
The ordeal happened at Virginia State High School League Championships, which were held last week.
The two runners involved in the incident were Alaila Everett and Kaelen Tucker.
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In the shocking footage, Everett seemingly hit Tucker before she stumbled to the ground and went off course.
She was later diagnosed with concussion and a potential skull fracture.
But Everett has denied that her actions were intentional. Speaking to WAVY-TV 10, she said: "After a couple times of hitting [Tucker] with my baton, I got stuck behind her back like this and it rolled up her back.
"I lost my balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit."
She further insisted: "I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose."
The teenager has since discussed the matter with Good Morning America as well, and insisted that new footage backs her claims.
Her family say that it shows Tucker running too closely to her, which lead to the collision.
See it here:
In her interview, Everett explained that during the race, her arm became stuck, and her baton inadvertently struck Tucker as they neared the corner.
While she's denied any wrongdoing, Everett is now facing an assault and battery misdemeanor charge, which was issued yesterday (March 13), ABC News reported.
The Virginia High School League is said to be reviewing the incident, as well as the Portsmouth National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The NAACP is also looking into the Everett family being subjected to racial slurs and death threats.
"We are committed collectively to ensuring that the criminal justice system, which we feel is not warranted in this situation, is executed fairly and based on due process," the organization said in a statement.
The organization also called for Everett to be 'void of any criminal proceedings', and described the student as 'an exceptional young leader and scholar whose athletic talent has been well-documented and recognized across our state'.
"She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field and any narrative that adjudicates her guilty of any criminal activity is a violation of her due process rights," the NAACP went on to say of Everett.
Niamh Shackleton