Student says he was attacked for supporting Trump in mock election

STAFFORD, Texas (FOX 26) - A student at Stafford Elementary is recovering Wednesday after being beaten by several of his classmates.

He says it was during a mock election when the class was asked, “Who voted for Donald Trump?”

In an exclusive interview with  FOX 26, the 11-year-old boy involved and his family tell us what happened.

“This is America,” said Mary Lemmon, the mother of the student beaten. “Everyone has the right to their own opinion, and they shouldn’t be beat up for it.”

But just a day after Donald Trump was elected President, that’s exactly what happened to her son at Stafford Elementary School.

“These boys decided to ask the classroom, ‘Who voted for Donald Trump?’ And then I said, ‘I did.’ And then they come over here and jerked me out of my seat,” said the student. “Before I could get up they started kicking me and punching me.”

The student’s name was protected by request of his parents. But he told  us the classroom did have a teacher present. He said when he was on the ground, it “felt like it was forever”.  

“We have not really gotten a clear explanation of how long this went on and why did it take so long for it to be stopped?” said his father Buddy Lemmon.

The Lemmons said they received a call from the principal of the school immediately after the incident.

“I took him to the hospital, we went and made a statement to the police officers, and then I took him to the emergency room so he could get some x-rays done.”

Lemmon said her son has deep bruises throughout his body. After speaking with Stafford MSD,  they gave us a statement that says:

“I know we've been very opinionated on this election, but I’ve never said anything to the point where I would incite violence,” said Buddy Lemmon. “My son doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.”

The Lemmon’s said they have pressed charges against the students involved in the incident. They added that they hope their story encourages parents to speak to their children on how to be compassionate and accepting to those that believe differently.

“That’s what America’s about. We had to respect the last election results, and I feel like everyone should respect this election’s results.”