Virginia HS Athlete on Striking Runner With Baton: 'I Would Never Hit Somebody on Purpose' (UPDATE)

UPDATED March 12, 3:45 p.m. ET: Alaila Everett, the I.C. Norcom High School track star who's accused of striking her competitor Kaelen Tucker with a baton, has reportedly been charged with assault and battery.

According to Richmond news station WRIC, the Portsmouth NAACP chapter has decried the charges in defense of Everett, calling them "concerning" and "not warranted." Although Tucker's family seeks a protective order, they are also requesting an apology from Everett. Tucker is currently a junior at Brookville High School.

The NAACP has defended Everett as "not an attacker," which the high school senior claimed in an emotional interview following the incident.

See the original story below.

A Virginia high school student currently embroiled in controversy over a relay race incident says she wants to apologize, though she’s also making it clear she would “never hit somebody on purpose.”

As shown in widely discussed footage, the incident in question saw one young athlete, Alaila Everett of I.C. Norcom High School, making contact with a competing student, Kaelen Tucker of Brookville High School, with her baton. The championship relay race moment ultimately led to Tucker allegedly suffering a slight concussion, as well as being unable to finish the race. I.C. Norcom, meanwhile, was disqualified from the competition.

In an interview shared by regional outlet WAVY TV 10, Everett fought back tears as she explained what she says happened on the track. Despite the incident being described in some news reports and social media posts as an attack, Everett says the baton strike was purely accidental. According to Everett, her baton “got stuck” as the two athletes were running close to each other, at one point rolling up Tucker’s back. At this point, per Everett, she lost her balance and “pumped my arms,” causing her to hit her opponent.

“I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose,” she said, with her parents, also interviewed in the piece (as seen above), echoing her remarks.

Everett said that she wants to apologize to Tucker, who she says has not been open to any such conversation. Speaking more generally about the reactions to the footage, Everett reiterated her argument that the ful story isn’t being told.

“They’re assuming my character, calling me ghetto, racist slurs, death threats,” she said. “All of this just because of a nine-second video.”

Tucker, meanwhile, said in an interview with WSET ABC 13 that she was “so in disbelief” during the immediate moments after the baton hit.

“Why did you do it, and why haven’t you apologized yet?” Tucker added of the incident.

When reached for comment by Complex on Monday, an I.C. Norcom High School rep said the incident remains under investigation after being “immediately reported” to the Virginia High School League (VHSL).

“We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work,” the rep told Complex. “The division will support and follow the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its completed investigation.”

Complex has also reached out to reps for the VHSL and Brookville High School for additional comment. This story may be updated.