A transgender high school student in Massachusetts, Jayden Tkaczyk, was reportedly assaulted by a group of teenagers at a party in Gloucester. According to his attorney, Craig Rourke, the 16-year-old was attacked and subjected to homophobic slurs before being chased into the woods where he was later found by the police. The incident took place on Friday night. Gloucester law enforcement is currently investigating the matter, though they have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
Ben Lummis, the Superintendent of Gloucester Public Schools, addressed the seriousness of the allegations during a press conference on Tuesday. Rourke mentioned that Tkaczyk, who attends a vocational school, has experienced ongoing bullying due to being transgender, and was even removed from the Gloucester High School football team. The attack on Friday was described as a “terrible beating” by Rourke, who emphasized the fear and trauma experienced by all involved.
The lawyer stated that Tkaczyk’s family is seeking accountability for those responsible for the assault. They are eager to ensure that such incidents do not reoccur and are hoping for justice. The situation has been described as every parent’s worst nightmare, with Tkaczyk’s parents receiving the distressing news that their child was in the hospital following the attack. The family is determined to see the perpetrators face consequences for their actions.
