Alaila Everett insists that she didn’t intentionally hit her opponent
A runner who has been accused of attacking her competitor has said new footage exonerates her.
A shocking moment from the Virginia State High School League Championships has gone viral in recent days, capturing the attention of sports fans everywhere.
In the dramatic footage, Alaila Everett appears to accidentally strike fellow runner Kaelen Tucker in the back of the head with a baton, causing a jaw-dropping moment. The impact leaves Tucker stunned, while Everett stumbles and falls off course.
The incident, which took place last week, has sparked widespread reactions across social media, with many people left in disbelief at the turn of events.
The incident took a darker turn after it was revealed that Kaelen Tucker had been diagnosed with a concussion and a potential skull fracture. However, Alaila Everett has adamantly denied that the baton strike was intentional. Speaking to WAVY-TV 10, she explained:
“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.”
Everett further emphasized: “I know my intentions, and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America, Everett maintained that new footage supports her version of events, claiming it shows Tucker running too closely, causing the baton to make contact. Everett explained that her arm became stuck during the race, leading to the unintentional collision as they neared the corner.
Despite her insistence on no malice, the young athlete is now facing an assault and battery misdemeanor charge, issued on March 13, according to ABC News. The Virginia High School League is reviewing the incident, with support from the Portsmouth NAACP, which is also investigating reports of racial slurs and death threats targeting the Everett family.
The NAACP has expressed strong support for Alaila Everett, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the criminal justice system is applied fairly and without bias in this case. In a statement, the organization argued that criminal proceedings were “not warranted” in this situation and should be executed with due process.
The NAACP called for Everett to be “void of any criminal proceedings” and praised her as “an exceptional young leader and scholar” whose athletic abilities have been widely recognized across the state. They further defended her character, stating, “She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field” and that any narrative suggesting criminal guilt would be a “violation of her due process rights.”
