Middle schooler faces criminal charges after hitting student with chair in shocking video

Savannah Brock | WXIA-TV, Atlanta

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – A middle school student is facing criminal charges after a video showing her hitting a fellow classmate with a chair went viral.

Gwinnett County Schools confirmed the a video that circulated on social media showing a 7th grade girl hitting another with a chair and then again hitting the victim with her hand was one of their students.

The incident happened on Jan. 22 at Creekland Middle School during the end of the school day. The school system said the victim reported the incident to an administrator after it occurred.

In the video, a girl in a pink shirt sits at her desk with her head down as another student prods her with a chair. The student appears to start crying and the student who hit her with the chair comes back and strikes her with her hand.

In the video, students appear to be laughing and there is no teacher in the room.

In addition to disciplinary action, the student is also facing criminal charges. Since the incident happened inside a Gwinnett County classroom, Human Resources is conducting an investigation.

The school district said this behavior is not acceptable and took immediate action.

Following the incident, the principal at Creekland Middle School sent a message to parents regarding the incident.

Principal Eddie Maresh released a statement to parents and guardians.

"As this situation did occur in the classroom, we are addressing this issue with the teacher of the class," Maresh said.