AL - Brian Ogle, 17, brutally beaten, Sylacauga, 30 Sep 2016 *Arrests*

No other students were believed to be involved in the attack, Chief of Police Kelley B. Johnson said, calling on community members to avoid posting “negative things” on social media as the investigation continues.

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I know that many of you are aware of the horrible incident that occurred last night in our city. I want the people of Sylacauga to know that the Sylacauga Police Department is going to do everything in its power to bring the people responsible for the assault on the SHS student to justice. SPD investigators have been working since the initial call to gather statements and evidence to try and get the evidence needed to make a case against the perpetrators involved in such a senseless act of violence.

I have been in contact with SHS/BOE officials and I want all of the parents and students to know that full time SPD presence in our High School and Middle School will be strengthened starting Monday, October 3, 2016 and per Dr. Todd Freeman, will continue until all of the tensions are calmed.

SPD has been able to identify persons of interest and have interviewed some. At this time there is no evidence from witnesses or any others involved that SHS students, with the exception of the victim, were involved in the assault. I do ask for all of your help in trying to relieve tensions in our city by not posting negative things on social media. I understand that some of you are concerned that SPD or BOE will "sweep this under the rug," but any intelligent person should see that that is not possible. I am not one to "sweep" any crime under anything much less a crime as violent as this.

I now ask everyone to pray for the 17 year old victim of this assault, his family, the officers and investigators working the case and while your at it say a little prayer for our community as a whole so that maybe we can get past this and be a stronger community because of it. I call on our Pastors and community leaders to step up and help us bridge this divide between the black and white races. It will take us all make a difference.
Kelley B. Johnson
Chief of Police

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Authorities and Sylacauga school district administrators said Ogle, who is white, was beaten Friday night after a high school homecoming game.
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Sylacauga Police Chief Kelley Johnson called the assault a “senseless act of violence.”

He said in a statement that he knows some citizens are concerned that the police department or the state’s department of education will “sweep this under the rug.”

“But any intelligent person should see that that is not possible,” Johnson said. “I am not one to ‘sweep’ any crime under anything much less a crime as violent as this.

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Kimberlyd125 said:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/10/0...-over-black-lives-matter-post-police-say.html

An Alabama high school student was attacked after a homecoming football game allegedly over the teen’s social media post about the Black Lives Matter protests.

Sylacauga Police Chief Kelley Johnson said that witnesses told police the incident was sparked over the post. Johnson said one or more black teens are believed to be behind the assault of 17-year-old Brian Ogle, according to WBRC-TV.

Police haven’t released a motive, but said the attack appeared to be racially motivated and the social media post could have been a factor.

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Kimberlyd125 said:

Sylacauga police chief: As few as five or as many as 60 responsible for teen's beating"

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I do ask for all of your help in trying to relieve tensions in our city by not posting negative things on social media.

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Police haven’t determined a clear motive, but Johnson said it appeared to be racially motivated and social media could be a factor.

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Maroon10 said:

I've seen some of the things he posted and while his views politically had some racist undertones and gave a very condescending attitude towards the related issues.

I hope he wasn't one to provoke anyone. I wish a speedy recovery, violence is never the answer

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bluesneakers said:

No, it's not. And regardless of him sharing a few provocative posts he seems like a really nice kid.

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Maroon10 said:

Yes he is entitled to an opinion, and yes his post were provocative , but what I saw posted were definitely condescending, had racist undertones, and looked to marginalized the plight of african americans in the country today.

His posts were not "PRO- BLUE LIVES MATTER" like media is stating, look at what he posted, it is Anti - Black Lives Matter. The point of those post are to put down the BLM movement that wants to bring social equality to african americans.

IMHO, people who are vocal about being anti-BLM tend to be provokers and aggressive to make their opinion known. I know they did not say it but I won't rule out an aggressive argument that escalated, I feel that is more likely than targeting because of 2 Facebook posts. We hear one side and obviously it's going to be one sided.

Violence is not the answer, ever, Police and the community need mutual respect and understanding, we need to work towards that.

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bluesneakers said:

Some of those posts I saw we wouldn't be able to share here - which shows how they're weren't simply Blue Lives Matter (which is shared freely here). The only cases I know of students being targeted like this are related to being LGBTQ, racial minorities, Muslims, gangs... I'm really curious to know who the suspects are and what the motivation was. (The fights at my school? Oddly enough often related to sports events.)

More than anything I hope he comes out of this okay.

Note: I am NOT blaming him for what happened. Not at all. People should be able to post whatever they want on SM or say whatever they want (while not in school) and not have to worry about physical confrontations for it.

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Ogle's mom said her son suffered a fractured skull. She also says he was attacked because he had shown support for police in response to some students wearing Black Lives Matter shirts at school.

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