DeKalb County

Parents say student assaulted by gang of girls

DECATUR, Ga. — Parents tell Channel 2 Action News their children are being attacked by a group of girls at a local high school.

The Decatur City Schools superintendent says at least three girls physically assaulted one student twice last week in front of Decatur High School.

“They attacked her right in the middle of the street,” parent Okeeba Jubalo told Fernandes.

Jubalo called the group of girls a gang because Georgia state law considers three or more people committing a crime together a gang.

That student had to go to the hospital and her father is furious at school administrators for the way they're handling the problem.

Decatur Schools Superintendent David Dude told Fernandes there is no gang problem.

“I understand where he's coming from. He's very concerned for his child and I share his concern for our students but I would not characterize these students as a gang,” Dude told Fernandes.

Jubalo said before last Thursday’s fights, he's tried everything to protect his daughter.

His daughter had counseling sessions with the girls before they attacked her, and school officials said they have tried to step in but Jubalo said it hasn't been enough.

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Although school officials suspended the girls from school, he doesn't feel they're recognizing the gang problem at Decatur High School.

“The reality of it is, the response would've been totally different had it been eight black girls ganging (up on) one white girl in the street,” Jubalo said.

“Last week I reached out to some African-American leaders in our community to ask them to help me take an impartial look at the situation to see if any of those allegations are true,” Dude told Fernandes.

Parents told Fernandes there are more groups of girls starting trouble at the school, and fighting all the time.

The superintendent said he's going to take some proactive measures to stop any future fighting.