Student in ICU after getting punched

WATERLOO, Ind. (WANE) - A junior at DeKalb High School in Waterloo is in critical condition after getting punched by another student in a hallway on Friday.

The incident took place around 11:00 a.m., while classes were underway. The 15-year-old student accused of throwing the punch has been arrested on an initial charge of battery. He was taken to the Allen County Juvenile Center in Fort Wayne where he's awaiting a detention hearing.

DeKalb County Police say he tried to start a fight with the other student. The victim did not want to fight and tried to walk away. According to police, that's when the student punched him in the head.

The victim, 17, was first taken to DeKalb Memorial Hospital and later transferred  to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Lutheran Hospital Spokesperson Geoff Thomas confirms he is being treated in an intensive care unit.

According to the victim's family, he is suffering from bleeding of the brain.

The family told NewsChannel 15 that after getting punched, the victim's head hit a wall. The victim's mom told NewsChannel 15 that he had only been attending the school for about a week, and had been bullied at the school in the past. Apparently this particular incident had to do with the fact that the victim was wearing baggy pants.

Students say the victim was a target for bullies because of his clothes and the way he talked. One student told NewsChannel 15 that the victim talked "ghetto".

Sophomore Austin Gallegos was near his locker when the attack happened. "The big kid just hit right upside the head," he told NewsChannel 15. "The little kid tried to duck, but he just hit him, went straight to the ground, smashed his face as soon as he hit the ground."

Students say both teens were exchanging words before the argument escalated.

"[Students] were talking about there was blood everywhere, and they couldn't believe it, it was just so brutal and gruesome," said sophomore Andrew Brown.

Brown added that bullying is a problem at the school.

"It's not really reported a lot, it's just people ignore it, they try to go on with their lives," said Brown.

Sherry Grate, Superintendent of DeKalb Central Schools says the district is "extremely concerned" about what happened.

Grate released the following statement to NewsChannel 15 Friday evening:

This morning a DeKalb High School student was injured in an altercation with another student. The victim was transported by emergency personnel to a local hospital. The perpetrator was immediately apprehended by law enforcement and taken into custody.

Our first and foremost concern is the well being of the victim of today’s incident. However, federal privacy laws prevent the school district from commenting further on any educational matters involving specific students.

The school district will cooperate fully with all investigation and prosecution related to this matter.

It is the policy of DeKalb County Central United School District that any disruption of school activities will be considered as grounds for expulsion and referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency. We remind staff, students and parents to carefully review the DeKalb High School code of conduct and discipline policies.

DeKalb Central has no tolerance for violence of any form. The district has adopted and implemented policies to address all incidents of aggressive behavior. The district will take all necessary measures to protect the safety and well being of all students.