Teen attacked teacher in wheelchair as part of TikTok challenge, Louisiana cops say
An 18-year-old student accused of punching her teacher as part of a viral TikTok trend has been charged and faces up to 10 years in prison for the violent attack, according to Louisiana authorities.
Larrianna Jackson was arrested on battery charges earlier this month after what police said was a premeditated attack on a teacher at Covington High School, WVUE reported. She’s now facing more serious felony charges including second-degree battery and cruelty to the infirmed, according to the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Part of the attack was filmed and shows Jackson knock the 64-year-old teacher — who has a disability and uses a wheelchair — to the ground and proceed to pummel her, WDSU reported, citing police. The teacher was seriously injured and had to be treated at a hospital.
Covington police arrested Jackson on Oct. 6 after another student posted video of the incident online, where it was shared widely. Authorities said they believe the attack was inspired by the “slap a teacher” TikTok challenge, which has since prompted warnings from police and school district officials across the U.S.
Two seventh graders in North Carolina who took part in the dare could face assault charges after they allegedly slapped a substitute teacher earlier this month, McClatchy News reported. A similar incident was reported in South Carolina in which an elementary school student is accused of hitting a teacher in the head.
TikTok has since denounced the challenge, calling it “an insult to educators everywhere.”
“And while this is not a trend on TikTok, if at any point it shows up, content will be removed,” the social media app said in a statement.
Jackson is set to be arraigned Dec. 8, officials said.
Covington is about 40 miles north of New Orleans.
This story was originally published October 19, 2021 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Teen attacked teacher in wheelchair as part of TikTok challenge, Louisiana cops say."