BRUNSWICK, MD - A high school sophomore who is speaking out about bullying came under assault in front of our cameras.
As Preston Deener got ready for his interview, three boys approached and one began hitting him in the head.
"The student came up to me and pushed me out of the way and said 'What are you recording?'", Preston said. "All of sudden, the student was chasing me and I needed some help.
Deener ran across the street back on to school property. He was preparing to talk on camera about being bullied at Brunswick.
As Preston Deener got ready for his interview, three boys approached and one began hitting him in the head.
"The student came up to me and pushed me out of the way and said 'What are you recording?'", Preston said. "All of sudden, the student was chasing me and I needed some help.
Deener ran across the street back on to school property. He was preparing to talk on camera about being bullied at Brunswick.
He's learned to go to the administration when he's bullied, especially after what happened last week, when a student tackled him and he fought back.
But for fighting back, he was suspended for 3 days.
Now his mother is hoping the school will take action against this bully.
"I'm hoping now that they take this more seriously than what they have," says Cheryl Deener.
The school says they are investigating the incident and identifying the students involved.
"A full investigation is step number one, to find out whats going on and what happened," said Michael Doerrer with Frederick County Public Schools.
WHAG immediately shared the video with school administrators and the police.
Preston says he's experienced bullying for years, including cyberbullying on Twitter, which he thinks made the problem worse.
"Preston is very strong but I think he's a little bit shaken up with what happened today," his mother said.
"You've got to have one heart and stand up for someone who's getting bullied and it needs to stop," says Deener.
The school told us they don't comment specifically on bullying cases because of privacy issues.
But for fighting back, he was suspended for 3 days.
Now his mother is hoping the school will take action against this bully.
"I'm hoping now that they take this more seriously than what they have," says Cheryl Deener.
The school says they are investigating the incident and identifying the students involved.
"A full investigation is step number one, to find out whats going on and what happened," said Michael Doerrer with Frederick County Public Schools.
WHAG immediately shared the video with school administrators and the police.
Preston says he's experienced bullying for years, including cyberbullying on Twitter, which he thinks made the problem worse.
"Preston is very strong but I think he's a little bit shaken up with what happened today," his mother said.
"You've got to have one heart and stand up for someone who's getting bullied and it needs to stop," says Deener.
The school told us they don't comment specifically on bullying cases because of privacy issues.
Preston and his mother are organizing an anti-bullying dance Friday night at the Brunswick City Park building from 8-11 p.m.
The Deener family is asking anyone who wants to attend the event to wear orange or blue, the colors of bullying prevention and awareness.
Comments
I agree with the comment below that questioned why no one called the police. The reporter had witnessed a crime! She had video of the perpetrators. Leaving this in the hands of the school administrators who have shown their incompetence is wrong.
Bruce H.
October 11, 2012 at 5:30 pm
The headline says, "High School Bullying caught on tape", yet after viewing the entire video, there is no evidence of bullying there. The female reporter who is protecting the identities of the bullies, says she did not have the camera on. Why not? How would an experianced reported miss such a chance? Why is she protecting the attackers? Very amateur and unprofessional of this reporter.
Fred S.
October 11, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Why aren't the police involved. The reporter witnessed a crime. If that were adults, the aggressor would be jailed on a felony. Why is this different?!!!!
Gerald S.
October 10, 2012 at 9:01 pm
For some reason or another bullying is an awful rite of passage for many school children,whether it stems from the aggressor's belittled sense of self, a misunderstanding of the individual being bullied simply for being different, a dysfunctional family upbringing, a blind eye by teachers at school or the excesses of society that so often congratulates and holds violence in such high esteem, or perhaps worse it could all just come down to the fact that it's man's nature to be combative and hostile....
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/10/teen-gets-bullied-on-camera-during-story-on-being-bullied/
Christopher K.
October 10, 2012 at 6:05 pm
I am not from this area. Yes while it is true bullying is ever where. Just because you say that does not mean its acceptable. Remember the saying boys will be boys. That gave everyone the reason to ignore the behavior. Where we live in Michigan a rural area school. I stopped going to the school first. What I did was start at the police station. Let them investigate it with the school. I was able to not only bring it out side of the school but the bullys parents had to be notified. Believe me no parent wants the police at their door. Will this help it could it gives another opion by the local authorities. Will also count as it being record on their records. Our childern are so over whelmed as it is they do not need this in their lives. I am saddened by this and I hpe this will work out for the victim there is people who do care.
Mike M.
October 10, 2012 at 11:31 am
ok, i graduated from BHS last year and i knew preston. im not saying that the bullying is right but he is kinda asking for it. he tries to show off alot, is very cocky, and instigates alot of the bullying, i think just for the attention
Matthew M.
October 10, 2012 at 11:03 am
I am an old resident of brunswick & these are the same reasons I took my kids out of this town. The high school itself punishes who they want.They say that they go by the book but they dont .If they would finally take action against bullies then our children wouldnt have to worry about defending themselves. This school is [censored] up all together and as far as frederick county doing an investagation (HA) thats so full of it. I do hope this time around something is finally done with this school & the students who think they can go around bulling these kids.
michelle C.
October 10, 2012 at 7:57 am
I hope that by Preston standing his ground that something finally is done about his battle with bullying. I, for one, don't stand for bullying. If I see it happening, I interject. I don't care if it's two kids or grown adults. Bullying is everywhere. Not just in our schools. And not just in Brunswick. It's nationwide. I see a few comments stating that the bullies were athletes. I know for a fact in this case, that is not true. As a matter of fact, any athletes would have been at practice at the time this occurred (provided they are playing a Fall sport). My son is an athlete and TRUST ME, he gets no special treatment. As a matter of fact, he is held to a higher standard and when he screws up, he pays for it. At school AND at home. The bottom line is that we all need to take a stand when we see others being mistreated. Whether you interject, report it, or simply console the victim. Think about it. You might just save someone's life..........
Tracey T.
October 9, 2012 at 8:28 pm
For those that lament our litigious society, just know that nothing works better at getting these negligent administrators to do their job. Sue, Baby, Sue!!!
Thomas T.
October 9, 2012 at 6:10 pm
You know the bad part, those bullies will probably just get a slap on the hands... nothing more. And Preston was suspended for defending himself. Thats how it always happens with schools. Those kids are probably all star sports players so they wont get punished at all. Its a disappointment. And I agree... The parents are much to blame for how those bullies act.
Amanda C.
October 9, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Sarah F.
October 9, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Who are the loser parents who raised these loser kids? If I find out I will make sure all of Brunswick knows. I stand with Preston and his family, as well as all the other kids being bullied. To BRUNSWICK HIGH - ENFORCE your bullying policies! Jocks are NOT the only kids in your school.
To the PARENTS of these meathead bullies - you should be utterly ASHAMED of yourselves and your cruel children. Do your job and stop neglecting the upbringing of your OWN children. I hope the police do get involved and charge the brats with assault.
Sarah F.
October 9, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Debora G must be the parent of a bully. I guess 2 eyewitnesses isn't enough?
RunnerMom R.
October 9, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Good luck with BHS doing anything. I had to remove my daughter out of that school because the adminstrators didn't consider what was happening to her as being bullied. They are in denial.
Helen M.
October 9, 2012 at 12:07 pm
no doubt the bullies were probably on the football or baseball teams. Sad to know they still out sports in front of the students
April A.
October 9, 2012 at 11:02 am
I saw it happen. Will gladly get involved. Calling the school today. I was about to turn into the school, when I saw it unfold. After Preston ran in front of my car, I yelled at the kid, but he was so focused on Preston he did not react to me. I was shocked there was a grown up with a camera standing right there and the boy didn't care.
Allison A.
October 9, 2012 at 10:04 am
There is no way I would trust a School system to handle an issue like that, this video would have been handed directly to the police if one of my kids was involved. If any of the aggressors were involved in school sports they should automatically be banned from said activities county wide permanently.
Lucas S.
October 9, 2012 at 9:30 am
Debora. If you watched the entire story you would have learned that the cameras were not rolling when the assault took place but they caught the aftermath. The assault was witnessed by the reporter and the cameraman.
Robert J.
October 9, 2012 at 9:18 am
I saw the report when you broadcast it last evening and I watched it again on the website. There is no video proof of contact between Deener and any other person. If you have proof of an altercation, show it.
Debora G.
October 9, 2012 at 8:56 am
when I was a high school student (35 years ago) I was bullied one time. I went to the authorities and filed charges. It worked. Don't expect the schools to address the issue. The families should see the video presented as evidence in an assault trial.
Bradley D.
October 9, 2012 at 8:08 am
I bet those bullies will think different when they are faced with criminal assault charges. I agree with Dani D. The parents of these bullies have failed. They are just as worthless as their children.
Robert J.
October 9, 2012 at 7:36 am
Leisha H.
October 8, 2012 at 10:40 pm
I am a resident of Brunswick and a BHS graduate. I am so embarassed that people have allowed their kids to act this way. Please send that video to their parents, and see if they are proud, then hand them statistics of kids who commit suicide because of bullying. Ask them if they would like to have that on their hands because they have failed as a parent. I am also embarassed the BHS has a no tolerance policy that they do not enforce. GOOD JOB FACUILTY you over look everything someone is saying ...take it serious...kids break. Words can scar a soul. Then when it all goes down whos really to blame. Please I would love for someone to answer that!!!
Dani D.
October 8, 2012 at 9:49 pm
kayne k.
October 8, 2012 at 9:33 pm
