Mother of high school football player says son suffered concussion and broken nose after attack in locker room
The mother of a Dublin high school football player says her 14-year-old son will not be able to play in his first high school game because he suffered a broken nose and concussion as a result of an attack by a parent and four teenagers in the boys’ locker room.
DUBLIN, California. – Cherie Barfield says her son, Dasanni, is the Dublin High School freshman who was attacked and beaten by four older teenagers in the school’s locker room last Friday.
“He was diagnosed with a concussion, he had a black eye and a broken nose and of course he’s traumatized,” Barfield said. “They hit his head against the locker.”
She says her son was excited to play his first high school football game. A photo of him in a football uniform hangs in her restaurant, Cherie’s Southern Kitchen in Dublin.
However, due to the serious injuries sustained in Friday’s attack, he had to be hospitalized and will therefore not be able to take part in the game.
Bryce Bennett, the victim’s brother who works at the restaurant, said he received the call Friday from another brother who attends Dublin High School and witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
Bennett arrived at school before his mother and says it was a shock when he found Dasanni.
“There was blood all over the floor. It was disgusting to see that, and that they were even able to get into the locker room,” Bennett said.
“His whole face was swollen, his eyes were practically closed and he was screaming and crying at the top of his lungs. He’s 14 years old,” Barfield said.
Barfield says that according to her son, he had an argument with a student and the girl’s mother confronted him after school with four attackers in hoodies.
“We determined that a parent of a Dublin High School student was on campus and confronted our victim at some point. We were also able to see this on video,” said Dublin Police Chief Nate Schmidt.
Police Chief Schmidt says they are currently reviewing surveillance videos and believe the attackers are between 16 and 19 years old.
“This was a targeted maneuver and I am firmly convinced that we will find out and identify who these people are,” said Police Chief Schmidt.
Some community members stopped by the restaurant on Wednesday to show their solidarity with the victim’s family.
“I’m just trying to offer support. I know there are children involved. I don’t know the whole story, but you know, violence is not a way to solve anything,” said Karen Davis, a customer who traveled from Pleasanton to order food from Barfield’s restaurant.
Barfield says she plans to host a unity brunch at her Dublin restaurant, Cherie’s Southern Kitchen, at 2 p.m. on Sunday to raise funds and awareness.
“We will still give a portion of the proceeds back to the Dublin Unified School District so that they can ensure that the right measures are taken to protect our children,” said Barfield. “There is no reason for violence. That’s why we need to educate our youth. We need to teach people that violence is not the solution.”
Barfield says she is frustrated that no arrests have been made and is speaking to an attorney about possible legal action.
The police chief said he plans to update the school district on Thursday. Given the severity of Dasanni’s injuries, the attackers could be charged with aggravated assault if there is enough evidence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dublin Police Services at (925) 833-6670.
