Teen charged after Cordova student hospitalized
CORDOVA, AL (WBRC) - A 15-year-old has been charged with assault after an incident at Cordova High School. A teenager claimed he was a victim of the "knockout game," but Cordova Police say that is not the case.
The victim - Matthew Cooper - is home from the hospital after suffering a broken jaw and concussion.
The suspect - an unidentified 15-year-old - now faces assault charges after the incident. His identity is being withheld because he is a juvenile.
Cooper said on Tuesday night that he was set up by his own friend. Cooper said his friend thought the punch in the face would be funny.
"All I remember is getting hit, said Cooper. After that I don't remember much after that."
Cooper said the attack happened on Thursday. He stepped out of a bathroom stall at Cordova High School when he said he was punched in the face. He said he was the victim of the "knockout game" where kids try to knock out an unsuspecting victim for fun.
But Cordova Police said Wednesday that isn't the case.
"I'm not so much mad about it," said Cooper. It's just I'm upset because I thought this boy was my friend."
Cooper had surgery at UAB Hospital on Monday, where his jaw was wired shut and he also has a concussion. His parents said he has a four to six month recovery ahead of him.
"I'm hurt and I'm mad, said a tearful Rebecca Cooper. This is not what you send your kids to school for to be attacked or bullied."