Virginia Student Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries, Peer Charged

Irvin E. Rodriguez Gaitan, a Meadowbrook High School student in Chesterfield County, Virginia, suffered life-threatening brain injuries after an alleged hallway assault on Sept. 14. His family said he has since awakened, spoken with relatives and, according to the latest update, been released from the hospital to recover at home. A juvenile male student has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding and is being held in juvenile detention; police are reviewing surveillance footage to determine whether others were involved. No weapons were reported, and authorities have increased police presence at the school while the investigation continues. More than $40,000 has been raised to help cover Gaitan’s medical expenses.