Virginia teen track runner who bashed opponent's head with baton charged with assault and battery

I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett in Virginia claims the viral incident of her hitting an opponent with a baton, causing a concussion, was an accident.

The Virginia high school track and field athlete who was seen bashing an opponent's head with a baton during a race has been charged with assault and battery, Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

I.C. Norcom High School student athlete Alaila Everett was seen smashing her baton on the head of Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker during a championship meet last week. Footage of the incident went viral in the following days, prompting national controversy and backlash against Everett. 

Tucker was later diagnosed with a concussion and possible skull fracture.

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Tucker and her family members did not definitively say whether they would press charges against Everett after the incident in an interview with WSET ABC 13. However, charges have now officially been pressed, as Everett faces one misdemeanor count assault and battery.

Everett has since said the hits were accidental, in interviews with WAVY and "Good Morning America." 

Prior to the charges being announced on Everett, the Portsmouth NAACP released a statement defending the embattled teen on Wednesday. 

"Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER and media headlines that allude towards that in any way is shameful. We understand the sensitivity of the circumstances for both athletes and their families involved but this narrative must not go unaddressed," the statement read.  

"Alaila is an honor student and a star athlete at the historic I.C. Norcom High School. From all accounts, she is an exceptional young leader and scholar whose