On October 7, the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Rippon Middle School, at 15101 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge, concluded an investigation into an assault that occurred in a classroom on September 22.
The investigation revealed during class, a male student made a homophobic slur towards the victim, another 13-year-old male student, before riping and removing the child’s facemask.
The students were separated when another student intervened, and a teacher was notified. Following the investigation and in consultation with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the SRO sought petitions against the accused, identified as a 13-year-old male juvenile, now charged with assault & battery-hate bias, police said.
The case will be handled through juvenile court services, out of the view of the public. The teenager was sent home to his parents, police said.
