The Gloucester Police Department is currently conducting a civil rights investigation after a transgender teen, Jayden Tkaczyk, reported a brutal attack during a party in Goose Cove woods. According to a statement given to CBS Boston, Tkaczyk was beaten by a group of teenagers with whom he said words had been exchanged. Tkaczyk, who attends Topsfield Vocational Academy, feels the attack, which included being stomped on and punched, was motivated by his transgender status.
During an interview with NBC Boston, Tkaczyk recounted, "One second, I was having fun, the next second, I was on the ground getting my face stomped and beat up." He suffered a broken bone in his face, nerve damage, and extensive bruising. The incident, which took place late Friday night, is also under investigation by the Essex County District Attorney's Office. Police Chief Edward Conley has appointed an investigator, trained in hate crimes, to lead the case, although he stated, "It's too early to tell right now" if the attack will be categorized as a hate crime.
In a statement obtained by WCVB, Tkaczyk's mother, Jasmine, asserted her belief that her son was the victim of a hate crime, "Jayden told me as they were stomping on his face they were using the F slur so I don't know how anyone can justify that and say that's not a hate crime," illustrating the gravity of the verbal abuse accompanying the physical violence. The Gloucester Police stated that they already have access to multiple videos of the incident and are aware of posts on social media related to the beating.
Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made yet. Gloucester Public Schools have pledged to handle the incident with "the highest level of concern" as expressed by Superintendent Ben Lummis during a press conference, as reported by CBS Boston. The school district has made counselors available for students in need of support following the incident. In the meantime, Jayden and his family are calling for accountability from those responsible for his injuries.
