Calls Mount for Hate Investigation into Anti-Muslim Attack at North Carolina High School
The incident, which occurred on March 7 at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, resulted in the hospitalization of a 15-year-old Muslim girl who, according to her family, was repeatedly punched in a classroom following a pattern of alleged bullying and anti-Muslim comments.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) closed the hate crime investigation, stating there was “no evidence” of bias motivation—a conclusion reportedly reached without interviewing the victim.
CAIR-NC has been in direct communication with the family and claims both students were suspended after the altercation, which the school characterized as a “fight.”
However, the victim’s father and brother were shown security footage by school officials that they say contradicts this version of events. According to their account, the video shows the football player pursuing the student in a hallway and attacking her as she attempted to escape, the rights group website reported on Monday.
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In a statement, CAIR-NC criticized the police department’s handling of the case, arguing that the victim’s testimony alone constitutes evidence of potential bias motivation. They described the investigation as “insufficient and incompetent,” and called on the district attorney to launch an independent review.
The organization also called for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district to release all security footage related to the incident. They argue that withholding the footage prevents public accountability and undermines trust in the school's response.
The case has drawn broader attention following remarks made by Jibril Hough, a spokesperson with the Islamic Center of Charlotte. According to Hough, the student had been subjected to racist and Islamophobic slurs, including being told to “go back to your country,” despite being a U.S.-born citizen. The injuries she sustained reportedly included multiple facial fractures and a broken jaw.
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As of now, the school district has not released any video footage publicly. The family is reportedly considering legal action against Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, alleging failure to protect their daughter from bias-based harassment and violence.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has not commented further on the decision to close the hate crime investigation.
Source: Agencies
