CHARLOTTE — For the first time, the FBI and US Attorney’s Office publicly commented on the fight that happened at Ardrey Kell High School last month. The fight involved a 15-year-old girl and boy.
The 15-year-old girl’s family alleged it was started by the boy with racial intent. The girl’s family said she suffered significant injuries and called for hate crime charges. The 15-year-old boy’s family alleged it was in self-defense and no racial slurs were used. They say the boy was bullied by the girl and the girl started the fight.
CMPD released a statement Wednesday saying no such charges will be filed.
In a new statement released Friday, the FBI and US Attorney’s Office said no information was presented to them to show a potential federal violation.
“While we understand the concern surrounding such incidents, federal authorities initiate investigations and begin to take investigative steps, including conducting interviews, after an initial assessment of the available information indicates a potential federal violation,” the statement said. “At this time, there is no indication that the conduct implicates any federal laws, and in particular, federal hate crimes laws.”
The FBI and US Attorney’s Office say they remain in contact with CMPD should any new information become available and because the incident involves juveniles, they are limited in what can be said.
Supporters of the girl’s family held a second news conference Friday afternoon, calling on CMS and CMPD to release additional information. Supporters of the girl are asking for CMS to release hallway footage of the fight. They say it shows the boy attacking the girl. They are also calling on CMPD to explain how they came to the conclusion no hate crime occurred.
“We would like to request to have them look at it again and give this the thorough investigation that we asked for at the first press conference,” supporter Jibril Hough said. “We do not feel that this has happened.”
A spokesperson for CMS said they have no additional information to share. The spokesperson said a records request is necessary for the hallway fight footage. Channel 9 submitted the request, Friday afternoon.
A spokesperson for CMPD did not respond to multiple emails from Channel 9 seeking additional comment.
Family members of the girl are considering a lawsuit against CMS. Both sides say they have witnesses that support their accounts of the incident.
VIDEO: Family disputes hate crime allegations in Ardrey Kell fight
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