18-year-old accused of TikTok challenge assault facing up to 10 years in prison
An 18-year-old student in Louisiana is facing a felony charge and up to 10 years in prison for an alleged TikTok challenge, resulting in the assault of a disabled teacher.
St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Warren Montgomery announced Tuesday that Larrianna Jackson, of Covington, Louisiana, was charged with felony second-degree battery and cruelty to the infirmed.
Jackson was arrested on Oct. 6 by the Covington Police Department for felony battery of a school teacher.
Police said she assaulted a 64-year-old teacher who is disabled after the dismissal bell rang.
Due to injuries sustained by the attack, the teacher had to seek medical attention at an area hospital, according to police.
Officers on the scene were provided a video that captured the entire incident.
In the video, police say you can see the schoolteacher sitting at her desk where she appears to be talking to Larrianna Jackson.
After a moment, police say Jackson punches the teacher, causing the teacher to fall to the ground. As the teacher fell to the ground, Jackson continues to violently closed-fist punch the teacher. The video then turns off at this point.
Officers said they learned that the attack may have been prompted by a viral social media application known as TikTok.
Evidently, users on the app have deemed it to be a challenge to damage school property and attack teachers, according to police.
"The Covington Police Department would like to remind everyone that anyone who participates in such a challenge will be booked accordingly. In this post we also attached the video that has been circulating around the internet. This matter is still under investigation and more arrests are forthcoming," a statement issued by Covington Police said.
TikTok released the a statement regarding the challenge circulating on its app.
"The rumored 'slap a teacher' dare is an insult to educators everywhere. And while this is not a trend on TikTok, if at any point it shows up, content will be removed," according to a .
Jackson faces up to 10 years and will be arraigned by 22nd Judicial District Court Judge Richard A. Swartz on Dec. 8 at 9 a.m., according to Montgomery.