NBC4.TV, CA
Sept 15 2004
Student Says He Was Ambushed Outside School
Principal Says Officials Are Investigating
LOS ANGELES — School officials are investigating after a 14-year-old
boy was allegedly beaten and stabbed outside Ulysses S. Grant High
School.
FeedRoom
School Investigating
Joseph Peyton said the incident occurred at about 3 p.m., Monday.
The freshman said about nine students surrounded him near a gate
outside the school in Van Nuys. School officials dispute that claim,
saying two students were involved.
“I turned around and someone socked me in the face and broke my nose,”
he said.
Peyton said his attackers were using racial slurs. The boy also was
stabbed in the face with a blunt object, police said.
Peyton’s father, Charles Peyton, said the alleged attack was racially
motivated.
“How can you study comfortably when you’re worried about gang-bangers
beating you up when you go to the next class,” Charles Peyton said.
Peyton transferred to the school from North Hollywood to take advanced
placement courses.
Students told NBC4 that there have been conflicts involving Hispanic
and Armenian students.
The school’s principal said officials are investigating. School
officials said they do not believe race was a factor.
“As soon as we find out what’s happened, whether it was racially
motivated — but from what we understand it was not at all, then the
students will be disciplined,” said district spokeswoman Monica Carazo.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress