School fight captured on camera, students suspended

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - FOX10 News has learned some Hankins Middle School students were suspended after a fight was caught on camera.

School administrators said this is becoming a trend both locally and nationwide.

So we wanted to know how Mobile County Schools handle these situations.

Jennifer White's middle school son Corey Odom was suspended recently. She won't dispute that, but she does dispute how she was informed.

"I just want proof,” said White.

School officials suspended Odom for three days because he was seen in a fight video shot on campus.

Officials said her son stood alongside the fight, cursing and encouraging the brawl to continue.

She said she hasn’t seen the video.

"Why won't they show me the video?" White asked. "Prove to me he's done something wrong, and I'll take care of him."

Nancy Pierce with Mobile County Public Schools said they can't release the videos.

"We can't violate somebody's privacy,” said Pierce.

Pierce said if the video is put up on a public website, then anyone can see it.

Pierce also said the schools can't violate another student's privacy by showing these videos to parents.

Pierce said these taped fights are handled in a case by case basis, and the students are identified and suspended.

These videos are easy to make and easy to share for the world to see. But how do school officials decide who to punish?

Pierce said, "If you have anything to do with inciting the fight, if you are taking part in the fight, if you are going, 'Go! Go! Hit em! Hit em!' in all likelihood, you will be suspended."

Pierce said students have nothing to gain by being near these fights, especially if a camera's present.

Instead, students should try to stop the brawl, or get a teacher to step in.

Pierce also stressed that published videos can remain online for years. She said that could possibly hurt a student's employment chances when they're older.

Pierce said parents really need to talk to their kids about avoiding these fights, especially if a camera is nearby.