A 15-year-old named Jamal has been identified as the Syrian refugee who was seen being bullied by 16-year-old Bailey McLaren in a shocking video that went viral across the globe on Tuesday, November 27.
What Happened?
In the video, the young boy — identified only as Jamal at the time of this writing — is thrown to the ground by 16-year-old Bailey McLaren, who then pours water on his face as to “waterboard” him.
While the incident reportedly happened at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, England, on October 25, the video did not go viral until Tuesday, November 27.
Heavy reports that both school officials and local police investigated the incident and that McLaren has been interviewed by police.
https://twitter.com/saeed6ali/status/1067479762787028994
After the video went viral, a GoFundMe page was created to benefit Jamal and his family, who reportedly struggle to “meet the basic necessities of life” as displanted Syrian refugees living in the United Kingdom.
The fundraiser hit its goal of $85,000 in less than one day.
According to the person who created the GoFundMe page, his friend — who does local charity work in the Huddersfield area — plans to add Jamal’s relevant guardians as the beneficiaries of the total funds.
Additionally, the GoFundMe creators they will be increasing the target goal as long as the donations continue to pour in as they believe it as important to “raise as much money as possible” for the family.
via GoFundMe:
My friend does regular charity work in Huddersfield which involves giving food donations to refugee families. He is in contact with them and has made them aware of this Go Fund Me page. My friend is also keeping me updated on any responses from them.
-I plan to add Jamal’s relevant guardians as the beneficiaries of the total funds. I am working with Kelsey from Go Fund Me (we are in contact via email) to ensure that the money gets to them.
-Throughout the campaign I have increased the target of the funds and I will continue to do so as I feel it is important that we raise as much money as possible for the family.
The Superintendent of the West Yorkshire Police Kirklees District released the following statement about the horrid bullying video:
“We are investigating a report of a racially-aggravated assault of a 15-year-old boy which occurred on playing fields at Almondbury Community School at about 1 p.m. on October 25. A 16-year-old boy has been interviewed by voluntary attendance in connection with the incident and we are continuing to progress the investigation.”
As a result of the horrid incident, Daily Mail reports that local police are currently patrolling and monitoring McLaren’s home after his personal information was shared online and violent threats were made against him and his family.
Who Is Jamal the Syrian Refugee?
At this time, no much is known about the young teen other than the fact that he is a 15-year-old Syrian refugee that attends Almondbury Community School and lives in the Huddersfield area of England
