A middle school in Tualatin, Oregon, is facing backlash and controversy after a video of a violent attack between two students went viral on social media. The incident, which occurred earlier this month, involved a larger student wearing girl's clothes assaulting a smaller girl classmate in a school hallway. The video shows the attacker dragging the victim by her backpack before pulling her hair and repeatedly hitting her. The victim can be heard in the video saying, "I can't breathe," as she breaks down in tears.

The identities of the two students involved in the attack have not been publicly released. However, the video led to public outrage after it was shared online. Some individuals have alleged that the attacker is transgender, but it is unclear at this time if the student identifies as transgender. Hazelbrook Middle School spokesperson Traci Rose stated that the school cannot comment on the student's gender identity due to federal law.

The Tualatin Police arrested the suspected attacker on assault charges, and the case has been referred to the Washington County Juvenile Department. The video of the attack quickly gained widespread attention on social media platforms. Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, known for her advocacy against transgender women competing in women's sports, shared the video, further fueling the controversy.

In the aftermath of the attack and the subsequent public outrage, the school faced additional threats. Social media and email threats to bomb and shoot up the school forced an evacuation. Bomb threats were also made against the homes of school and district staffers, as well as city officials. The school board released a statement condemning the sharing of the video and the threats received. They emphasized that the students in the video did not consent to its circulation and that it had caused further harm to those involved.

Parents, in response to the incident, started a petition calling for harsher penalties for students who commit violence, particularly for repeat offenders. The superintendent of the district, Sue Rieke-Smith, described a second incident involving the same attacker as "horrific." In this separate video, the student is seen shoving another girl to the ground and assaulting her as well. Rieke-Smith assured parents that the incident had been addressed by the school's principal and staff but acknowledged the need for further investigation into the pattern of behavior.

Rieke-Smith defended the district's discipline policy, emphasizing the importance of providing an opportunity for students to learn from their mistakes, especially for minor behavior violations. However, she made it clear that when an incident rises to the level of assault, there is "no tolerance," and an immediate referral to law enforcement is made.

The school's response to the incident has sparked a debate about the school's discipline policies, with some parents demanding a stricter "zero tolerance" approach. Superintendent Rieke-Smith defended the current policies, stating that zero tolerance has not been effective in preventing school violence and that the focus should be on providing consequences and support for students. The school district now faces the challenge of addressing the concerns raised by the community and ensuring the safety and well-being of its students.