Photo courtesy of WBNO.
Larrianna Jackson was charged with a felony on Oct. 15 in Covington, Louisiana, for assaulting her disabled 64-year-old teacher in a TikTok challenge. WGNO reported that Jackson was charged with felony second-degree battery and cruelty to the Infirmed and faces up to 10 years in prison.
The 18-year-old is seen on video talking to her teacher, who is disabled and sitting at her desk in a classroom, on Oct. 6. Jackson suddenly hit her teacher and knocked her to the ground. The teenager then continued to punch her teacher with a closed fist when the video abruptly ended.
The incident happened at Covington High School as the bell rang, dismissing the students. The teacher was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital after the attack. Investigators told reporters that Jackson was participating in the TikTok challenge “Slap A Teacher.”
“Officers learned that this violent attack by Jackson, may have been prompted by a viral social media application known as Tik-Tok. Evidently, users on the app have deemed it to be a challenge to damage school property and attack teachers. The Covington Police Department would like to remind everyone that anyone who participates in such a challenge will be booked accordingly. This matter is still under investigation and more arrests are forthcoming.”
Similar incidents have occurred nationwide. Teachers have also been assaulted in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and South Carolina, prompting school districts and police departments to warn parents and teachers about the challenge.
TikTok released a statement on Twitter denouncing the “Slap A Teacher” challenge and called it an insult to educators.
“The rumored ‘slap a teacher’ dare is an insult to educators everywhere. And while this is not a trend on TikTok, if at any point it shows up, content will be removed.”
Jackson was initially only charged with the battery of a school teacher, which carries a 15-day to six-month sentence. However, after the video was viewed by District Attorney Warren Montgomery, the charges were upgraded.
The Covington Police Department said that two others were part of the TikTok “Slap A Teacher” challenge and issued arrest warrants for them. Trinity Gervais, 18, and an unnamed juvenile later turned themselves into Covington police. The child and Gervais were charged with Unlawful Posting of Criminal Activity for Notoriety and Publicity.
Jackson is now awaiting arraignment in the St Tammany Parish Jail and has a $25,000 bond. She will be arraigned on Dec. 8.