Portsmouth, Va. — More than 50 people attended a rally outside I.C. Norcom High School Thursday night in support of the runner charged in a track baton incident that has since gone viral.
Watch: I.C. Norcom runner speaks at rally following viral baton incident
Video of last week's VHSL Indoor Track State Championships shows I.C. Norcom athlete Alaila Everett and Brookville High School athlete Kaelen Tucker during the second leg of the 4x200 meter relay finals. In the video, Tucker can be seen being hit in the head by Everett's relay baton. Judges quickly disqualified the Norcom team after the incident.
The Brookville runner has a concussion and a possibly fractured skull, according to Bethany Harrison, Lynchburg Commonwealth's Attorney. Harrison confirmed that Everett is facing one count of assault and battery.
Watch previous coverage: I.C. Norcom's Everett says viral track meet incident was an accident
The viral attention garnered by the video has led to harassment and death threats directed at Everett, who maintains that this was an accident.
During Thursday's rally, a tearful Everett thanked those who have shown support, maintaining that what happened during the relay was not purposeful.
"I would never do anything like that. I would never harm anybody. I'm not a fighter," she said to rally attendees.
The rally was organized by Germain Green, a parent of three Norcom student athletes.
“I thought it was devastating to watch what this young lady was going through. As a former athlete that ran track, this is unintentional,” Green said.
The President of the Portsmouth NAACP, James Boyd, also spoke at the rally.
“She is not an attacker. Alaila is an honor student at Norcom High School. We are not going to sit back and allow the criminal justice system to define her,” Boyd said.
Everett's mother stood by her daughter's side during the rally.
“My baby didn’t do it. I know who I raised. I’m gonna stand up for mine 10 toes down,” said Zeketa Cost, Everett’s mother, during the rally.
