Middle school student suffers skull fracture in altercation

KILGORE– An eighth-grade student at Kilgore Middle School suffered a severe head injury last week after being body-slammed during lunch in the school cafeteria, sparking outrage among parents and community members. According to our news partner KETK, the incident happened Thursday afternoon when Lukas Hardeman was talking with friends at the lunch table. Family members said another student picked him up and slammed him headfirst into a steel chair.

Hardeman was rushed to a local emergency room, then transferred to a Dallas hospital where surgeons cut two holes into his skull to stop bleeding and relieve swelling. Doctors later confirmed he has a six-inch skull fracture, though thankfully no signs of permanent brain damage. He now faces a long recovery that includes monthly trips to Dallas for physical and speech therapy.

The incident has drawn criticism of Kilgore ISD’s handling of bullying reports. At a school board meeting held before Hardeman’s return home, parents and community members demanded accountability and stricter policies.

“Kilgore ISD is minimizing it and stating it has been blown out of proportion,” David Trussell, the victim’s uncle, said. “It has not been blown out of proportion. We want answers, and we want change.”

A Kilgore ISD parent, also urged the district to follow its own policies: “Not reporting bullying is not just negligent, it is a direct violation of state law and district policy. The principal is responsible for documenting all reports, and none of these steps were taken.”

After the meeting, Hardeman’s family drove him through the streets of Kilgore, where he was welcomed with cheers and support from neighbors as he begins his recovery.