Roanoke Father Says Roanoke City Schools and Police Failed After Son Was Bullied and Assaulted at James Madison Middle School, Leaving Him With Graphic Bruises; Concerns Grow After Recent SWVA Bullying Tragedies
⚠️ Update: Roanoke City Public Schools has issued a comment about this incident. You can read their full, unedited statement at the bottom of the article.
ROANOKE, VA — A Roanoke City father says his 13-year-old son was violently bullied and assaulted at James Madison Middle School, part of Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS), and claims both the school system and police have taken “no meaningful action” nearly two weeks after the attack.
The seventh-grade student is now being homeschooled due to ongoing fear, anxiety, and safety concerns.
The father, Davieus Gray Sr., provided documentation and photos showing extensive and graphic bruising across his son’s body following the incident. In accordance with the father’s request, the child’s name and face are not being published at this time.
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Bullying Escalated for More Than a Month
Information provided by Gray indicates the bullying began more than a month before the physical assault.
According to Gray, his son received messages from another student stating the harassment would continue unless he brought food or money to school. These messages suggest a pattern of escalating intimidation leading up to the violent attack on campus.
Gray said the injuries came from the other student during a school-day altercation.
Roanoke City Schools Offered Only a Class Change
Gray reported the incident to teachers and administrators at James Madison Middle School.
He then contacted the Roanoke City School Board, who referred him back to the school principal.
Based on the information Gray provided, Roanoke City Schools’ response was limited to offering a class schedule change for his son.
The aggressor, according to Gray, remains in school.
Gray says no safety plan, disciplinary action, or incident outcome was explained to him, and no additional steps were taken to protect his child in the days following the assault.
Police Report Filed; No Follow-Up Reported
Gray also filed a report with the Roanoke City Police Department, case number 25-215192.
He says a forensic nursing team documented the injuries at a hospital, and the police took the report — but he has not received an update from investigators in the nearly two weeks since the assault.
Child Withdrawn From School Due to Fear and Anxiety
Due to fear of returning to school and emotional distress following the attack, the family has removed the student from James Madison Middle School.
Gray reports that his son is now being homeschooled and continues to deal with anxiety related to the incident.
Gray said that since withdrawing his son, the only follow-up received from the school was a text message asking if the child was attending counseling.
Broader Community Concerns: Bullying in SWVA
The case arises amid heightened concern about bullying in Southwest Virginia, particularly following the tragic death of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman, a Salem student who died by suicide earlier this year.
Her family reported that she had experienced ongoing bullying at school and online prior to her death.
Autumn’s story has intensified local discussions about bullying prevention, early intervention, and how school systems communicate with families after reports of harassment or violence.
Gray said his primary concern is that bullying in local schools can escalate quickly when early warning signs are not addressed, and that recent tragedies highlight the need for stronger action and transparency.
Bullying in Middle Schools: A Documented National Issue
Federal education data shows:
- 1 in 5 students reports being bullied
- Bullying peaks in middle school
- Students who experience bullying face higher risks of anxiety, depression, avoidance of school, and long-term trauma
- Physical bullying among boys ages 11–14 remains a significant issue nationwide
These trends contribute to growing public pressure for stronger responses from schools and law enforcement when bullying becomes violent.
Parents or community members with additional information about this case or related bullying issues may contact us.
Roanoke City Public Schools Reply:
Roanoke City Public Schools’ top priority is the safety and security of our students, and we do not tolerate bullying.
On Oct. 31, a family contacted James Madison Middle School via the school’s Facebook page and RCPS’ 24/7 safety tip line to report an alleged assault and bullying. The school had not been contacted before that date regarding either that incident or any other bullying. School administrators immediately began investigating and took action in line with RCPS policies and procedures. This included meeting with the family to initiate and implement a comprehensive safety plan, a no-contact plan, and other supports. It is not true that the school only offered a class change, and it is not true that the only communication from the school has been a text asking if the student was in counseling. Appropriate disciplinary action was taken against the other student. Administrators and staff will continue to work directly with the families involved through the threat assessment and bullying processes.
The Department of Social Services and Roanoke Police continue to investigate, and questions about their work should be directed to those agencies.
RCPS has a comprehensive school safety and security plan that addresses the physical and mental aspects of school safety, including bullying, and more information is available at rcps.info/safety.