A transgender teenager was allegedly assaulted by a group of teens in Massachusetts, and authorities are investigating it as a potential hate crime.
Sixteen-year-old Jayden Tkaczyk was attending an outdoor party in a wooded area in Gloucester on Friday night when the attack occurred.
Jayden’s attorney, Craig Rourke, told media that the attackers “stomped on his head” and used a homophobic slur during the assault.
“We view this as a hate crime,” Rourke said, noting that the assailants’ words made their intentions clear.
Jayden sustained serious injuries, including a broken orbital, permanent nerve damage, a black eye, and bruises on his legs and torso. He was treated at a hospital and has since been released.
In a press release, the Gloucester Police Department stated that the individuals involved in the incident were known to each other. A civil rights-trained detective has been assigned to lead the investigation, which is being treated as a potential hate crime, according to a police spokesperson.
“The investigation is ongoing, and no conclusions have been reached yet,” the spokesperson said.
Jayden had previously faced bullying for being transgender, Rourke revealed. Last year, he briefly joined the Gloucester High School football team but quit after a few practices due to severe bullying.
Speaking to media, Jayden recalled the suddenness of the attack. “One moment I was having fun, and the next, I was on the ground, getting beaten and stomped.”
The attackers repeatedly hurled homophobic slurs while assaulting him, Jayden added.
His mother, Jasmine Tkaczyk, expressed her outrage over the incident. “I was really, really angry,” she told media. “As the mother of a transgender teen, this has always been my worst fear.”
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the serious nature of the allegations and confirmed that they are working with the Gloucester Police Department on the active investigation involving juveniles.
Gloucester Public Schools Superintendent Ben Lummis said that school officials are taking the allegations very seriously and are fully cooperating with the police.
“We are in the early stages of what is likely to be a complex investigation,” Lummis said. “Decisions will be made based on the findings of this thorough investigation.”
Lummis also addressed rumors and conflicting information circulating on social media, urging families and students to allow time for accurate and methodical investigations.
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Gloucester Police Chief Edward Conley emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, asking the public not to rush to conclusions while the investigation proceeds.
