A 14-year-old McCallie School student was knocked unconscious by a fellow student on Sunday at a gym on campus, police said.
Chattanooga Police juvenile investigators are investigating the incident that occurred at 500 Dodds Ave. at the school around 3:15 p.m.
According to police, officers were called to the McCallie School Gym on an aggravated assault. When the officers arrived, they found a 14-year-old male student unconscious and unresponsive.
Investigators were called to the scene and, according to one witness on the scene, there was a wiffle ball game in the McCallie School Gym. Two of the students got into a verbal disorder over the game.
The witness said the verbal disorder became physical with one of the students striking the other and knocking him unconscious.
EMS transported the student to T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital emergency room where he was admitted with a serious head injury.
However, his condition is improving and the student is being moved into a private room, it was stated.
Both of the students were first-year McCallie School students.
Charges have not been placed at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
The names of the students are not being released due to their age.
Kirk Walker, McCallie headmaster, gave this account in an email to school alumni:
On Sunday afternoon following a dorm whiffle ball competition, two
McCallie freshmen were involved in a brief altercation that resulted
in one of the boys being rendered unconscious after hitting his head
on the floor.
Due to the severity of his fall, paramedics were called, and he was
taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with head injuries. He
remains under hospital supervision. Because an ambulance was promptly
requested, and due to the nature of the injury, investigators with
the juvenile division of the Chattanooga Police Department were
called to the scene. Although the investigation is ongoing, we don't
anticipate any charges being filed.
At Monday morning's Chapel, Upper School Head Kenny Sholl informed
students of the situation. He requested prayers for the hospitalized
student, cautioned the boys that even minor scuffles can result in
serious injuries, and emphasized the importance of resolving
differences in appropriate ways.
We wanted you to know the details, since several local media outlets
have posted stories about this incident. Some reports have used words
contained in the initial police dispatch but not confirmed by
subsequent findings.