Alaila Everett, a high school track athlete from I.C. Norcom, has recently made headlines following a serious incident during a state-level track meet in Virginia. While competing in a 4 x 200-meter relay, the young athlete accidentally struck her opponent, Kaelen Tucker, in the head with a baton. The shocking event unfolded in front of spectators, leading to widespread video sharing that quickly went viral. In ensuing statements, Everett has emphasized that the incident was unintentional.
On March 12, the Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorney’s Office formally charged Everett with one count of assault and battery. As a result of the altercation, the Tucker family has filed for an order of protection against Everett. Additional reports from Wavy TV on March 13 indicate that Everett is also facing a misdemeanor charge stemming from this incident.
During the relay race, following the baton strike, Tucker was seen visibly distressed and exited the track, holding her head. Despite the competitive context, Everett exhibited concern for her fellow athlete, briefly slowing her pace to check on Tucker.
Everett Responds to Backlash: “My community knows my character”
In an interview with ABC News on March 10, Everett expressed her distress over the backlash she has received, which includes death threats and racial slurs, following the clip circulating online. This reaction, she noted, is based on just a brief nine-second video, which does not fully represent her actions or intentions.
“They are assuming my character, calling me ‘ghetto’ and racial slurs, death threats… all of this off of a nine-second video… I have plenty of people in my corner – teachers offering me a place to stay in their classroom if things get overwhelming… My community knows my character… they know I’m not like that… that it was an accident.”
Furthermore, medical assessments revealed that Kaelen Tucker has sustained a concussion and may have a skull fracture. Her parents reported that they received apologies from both the athletic director of I.C. Norcom and Everett’s family while she was at school. In a bid for accountability, the Tucker family has reached out for a personal apology from Everett and her coach; however, Tucker has since blocked Everett on social media platforms.
In the midst of this turmoil, Everett’s family has voiced their unwavering support for her character. Zeketa Cost, Alaila’s mother, asserted,
“I didn’t have to see a first video, second video or 10th video. I know 100% that she would never do that to nobody.”
Meanwhile, her father, Genoa Everett, added,
“We should not have adults attacking young children on either side.”
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, leaving the future of Alaila Everett’s participation on the school track team uncertain.