Can you imagine a parent allegedly handing their child brass knuckles for a school fight, then cheering them on? A shocking incident at a Los Angeles school has left a 12-year-old severely shaken. What does this say about parental responsibility and school safety today?

The family of a 12-year-old student in Los Angeles is seeking justice after their son, Damian, was allegedly subjected to a brutal student assault by a classmate, reportedly involving brass knuckles supplied by the assailant’s mother, during the first week of school at James A Foshay Learning Center.

This harrowing bullying incident unfolded in Exposition Park, where Damian had reportedly endured persistent harassment from the same male student throughout the initial days of the academic year. The victim’s family asserts that insufficient school safety measures and oversight contributed to the escalation of these disturbing events within the Los Angeles education system.

According to Damian’s account, on Friday, August 22, the alleged bully, accompanied by his mother, summoned him from his classroom. With a teacher’s instruction to comply, Damian left the safety of his class, unaware of the violent ambush awaiting him just moments later.

Upon leaving the classroom, Damian was reportedly attacked by his classmate, who allegedly wielded brass knuckles. Disturbingly, the assailant’s mother was present during the altercation, purportedly observing and even supplying the weapon to her son, highlighting a severe lapse in appropriate parental involvement and escalating the gravity of the juvenile violence.

Damian’s mother, Catalina Vasquez, along with their attorney, Charlotte Hadlow, have voiced profound concerns regarding the school environment and the alleged failure of the institution to safeguard students. They are advocating for greater accountability and improved school safety protocols to prevent future bullying incidents and student assaults.

The Los Angeles School Police Department has acknowledged the occurrence, confirming a “physical altercation involving two students on campus” on August 22, 2025. Authorities have stated that the matter remains under active investigation by their detectives, promising a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident within Los Angeles education.

This deeply troubling event has ignited a crucial conversation about juvenile violence, the critical role of parental involvement in such situations, and the responsibility of educational institutions to provide a secure learning environment. The family’s public statements aim to shed light on these pressing issues and ensure no other student faces similar trauma or a failure of school safety.