A 16-year-old New Mexico high school student suffered severe injuries that severed nerves and tendons after his teacher encouraged him to participate in a sword fight with other students, according to a new lawsuit.
The complaint alleges that the student, identified only as NS in legal documents, was arrested in May 2022 when a teacher at Volcano Vista High School seized the teenager’s sword and rapier for a bizarre duel. It is reported that he was offered the sword of the wind and was mortally wounded.by NBC News said:.
Former chemistry teacher Loviata Mitchell is said to have had her students set up desks to form an impromptu ring, then select pairs of students to fight each other for several minutes.
“DM struck Ms. NS on her right forearm, wrist, and hand with a katana-style sword,” the lawsuit alleges, according to NBC News. “Mr. NS sustained large, deep lacerations to his right hand and wrist that were not consistent with a ‘prop’ sword.”
It quickly became apparent that the girl was in pain, and the teacher demanded that the other students throw away the video of the duel, yelling, “We’re in trouble,” according to the complaint.
But footage kept by another injured student shows desks placed around the classroom, a timer on a large projection screen, and a teenage boy, before she is chosen as the next opponent to duel. Two people were seen pushing each other. According to KRQE.
The student’s grandfather was called 20 minutes after the injury occurred, and 911 was called 30 minutes after the incident, according to a lawsuit filed last week in 2nd Judicial District Court.
The girl underwent surgery and physical therapy, and sought mental health help, which now makes it difficult for her to work a peaceful job, the lawsuit says.
“Her wrist and hand have suffered permanent injuries. These injuries have caused her constant pain every day and have left her unable to perform many basic daily activities,” according to NBC News. her lawyer wrote.
Vice principal Manuel Arzaga was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit after writing in a school report that a student was injured during a “metals and melting class.”
“In response to the media’s question, ‘Did the injury violate school policy?'” Mr. Arzaga checked the box indicating “no,”” the lawsuit alleges.
“It was devastating. As you can imagine, this happens to a high school girl. Not only is her life completely different, she is in severe pain and has had surgery that requires a very long recovery.” Not only that, but he now has a very dramatic scar on his wrist,” said plaintiff’s attorney Jessica Hernandez. he told KRQE.
“There are no more job prospects for her. She will never be able to use her dominant hand the way she used to.”
The school district declined to comment when asked by media outlets about the lawsuit filed by the girl’s grandparents, Arnold and Judy Gachupin, who are the girl’s legal guardians.
The district noted that Mitchell, the teacher, was fired in July 2022, NBC News reported. It’s unclear what led to her firing.
Attempts to reach Mitchell Wednesday night were unsuccessful.
