A transgender teenager from Massachusetts is currently recovering after reportedly being assaulted by a group of high schoolers at a party in Gloucester. The incident occurred at an outdoor gathering on Friday night, where nearly five teenagers allegedly attacked the sixteen-year-old victim, Jayden Tkaczyk, while using homophobic slurs. Tkaczyk's attorney stated that the attackers then pursued him into the nearby woods, where he was later found by the police.
The Gloucester police department has initiated an investigation into the matter, although they have not yet provided any official comments. The Superintendent of Gloucester Public Schools, during a press conference on Tuesday, assured that the district is treating the allegations with utmost seriousness.
According to Tkaczyk's attorney, the victim, who attends a vocational school, has been a target of bullying due to his transgender identity, which even led to his removal from the Gloucester High School football team. The attorney described the assault on Friday as a 'horrible beating,' emphasizing the fear and trauma experienced by everyone involved.
The attorney further explained that the attackers verbally abused Tkaczyk before chasing him into the woods, where the police eventually located him and arranged for his transfer to the hospital. Tkaczyk's parents, who were at home during the incident, received the distressing news that their child had been hospitalized.
The family is seeking accountability for those responsible for the assault. They desire assurance that such incidents will not recur and are hopeful for justice to be served through legal means. The attorney expressed the family's strong stance on ensuring that the perpetrators are held responsible for their actions.
