BELLEVILLE, IL (YBH.ME) – A 17-year old student was beaten on a school bus yesterday in Belleville, Illinois. Police are calling the attack potentially racially motivated. The victim, who is white, is seen beaten, on more than one occasion, by assailants who are black.
Other African-American students step in to calm the melee after the victim receives many punches from two different assailants. Laughter and cheers can be heard from other students on the bus, many of whom are African-American, as the beating takes place. The bus driver does nothing but vocally implore the crowd to “Sit down guys.”
Yesterday, Belleville Police Captain Don Sax stated that “By watching the video, it looks like it was racially motivated.” Mr. Sax continued, “There was absolutely no justification for the beating either time.” According to the Chicago-Tribune, Mr. Sax said today that the fight was more about seats on the bus, rather than a racial incident.
Watch the unedited 13 minute version of the school video here.
Two students were arrested yesterday, it is unclear what if any charges they will face.
