Investigation says Wallace MS incident was hate crime
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — An investigation determined an altercation at Wallace Middle School earlier in March was motivated by religion/ethnicity, meeting the legal definition of a hate crime, according to Waterbury Police.
Twin sisters, who are Muslim, alleged they were attacked based on their religion. News 8 previously reported that Farham Memon, The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he girls were bullied for two weeks leading up the assault.
Advocates, parents push for increased protections after Muslim twin sisters were assaulted at Waterbury middle school
The Waterbury Police Department, in a joint press release with the Waterbury Department of Education and the Office of Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr., said Friday the Waterbury PD's Juvenile Division – Criminal Investigation Bureau interviewed numerous staff members and students who either witnessed or were involved in the incident.
A 12-year-old girl was charged with a intimidation based on bigotry and bias in the first and second degree after allegedly being involved in a physical altercation involving four seventh-grade students on March 3.
Another female student was referred to a youth diversionary program as an alternative to arrest, based on her involvement in the incident.
The Waterbury DOE verified the bullying incident, has taken disciplinary action, and implemented enhanced school safety measures in response to the incident, according to the release.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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