Officials are investigating a recent incident on the Hot Springs World Class High School campus where rounds from a CO2-powered BB gun allegedly struck a senior female student multiple times near an outside pavilion.
According to the victim's mother, who asked not to be identified to protect the identity of her daughter, the incident occurred at around 9:45 a.m. Sept. 24 as Vo-Tech students were being dropped off at the pavilion.
The mother alleged that her daughter, though not targeted, was struck in the temple area by the BBs, from which she sustained a concussion.
Hot Springs School District Communications and Public Relations Coordinator Adriane Barnes said Thursday the case is currently being investigated.
"At this time, this is an open investigation," she said. "Our HSSD Institutional Law Enforcement Agency is actively investigating all matters. There was no public statement issued to students or parents on Friday because it was an isolated incident and no one else's safety was at risk."
The mother claimed that, from what she understood, unidentified male students were "horsing around" when the rounds inadvertently struck her daughter in the face, head, arms and legs. She said her daughter is now being bullied and harassed by other students.