Student Allegedly Beat With Pipe At School

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Posted: 6:53 PM Nov 14, 2008
Last Updated: 9:33 PM Nov 14, 2008
Reporter: Marie Luby
Email Address: marie.luby@wymtnews.com

18 comments

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A teenager is in the hospital and another is charged with assault after an attack police say involved a metal pipe.
The alleged attack happened yesterday at the Knott County Area Technology Center in Hindman.

18-year-old Roman Thornsbury says he walked into the welding room for supplies during his second period class.

Thornsbury says," I walked in there to get us two pieces of sandpaper so me and my buddy could finish sanding down the shelf."

He never made it back to his project.

"That's all i remember until I woke up and seen, seen my boots, and seen the blood gushing," he says.

On his way out of the welding room, police say a 17-year-old classmate hit Thornsbury in the face and head several times with a metal pipe.

Thornsbury says, "I couldn't feel nothing."

Police think the pipe came from training materials at the school.

The blows left Thornsbury with a fractured cheekbone and eight staples in his head.

Kentucky State Police Sergeant Barry Engle says, "We take these situations more and more seriously as a result of the school shootings that go on and so forth, so an assault's an assault whether you're six or 65."

Police say the alleged attack appears to be over a girl. Thornsbury was not comfortable talking about that. His parents say they want more answers, but right now they're focused on their son's recovery.

Roman's mother, Hester Thornsbury says, "I'm worried about him and if he has to have surgery I'm praying that everything goes okay."

Roman Thornsbury will see a bone specialist Monday to find out if surgery is necessary.

The 17-year-old is charged with assault and is in the Breathitt County Juvenile Detention Center.
We were unable to contact an attorney on his behalf.
Knott County School officials declined to comment for confidentiality reasons.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Sam a very concerned student Location: Knott County on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I don't kno the whole story but what i do kno is the rules are not enforced well. The teachers can't say much about dress code,PDA, and etc. Without being called and balled out by the parents. I think the parents need to get some respect for their kids and teach them right from wrong. I think paddling should be put bac in skool and more needs to be done for under age tobacco use. If they give them about 5 good licks with a paddle instead of EIU then the skools would be alot better behaved. The smokin at KCC is so bad u about get knocked down from the scent when you walk by the bathrooms. I don't think the oral sex happened their is too many teachers that i kno well that would have reported this. They are teachers there that don't approve of wat is happening. People that get in trouble don't care if they are at skoo or not so giving them a suspension or expelling them i s just doin them a favor, then there is EIU what is puting u in a room for a day goin 2 do? NOTHING. Parents do ur job

Posted by: hester Location: topmost on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:13 PM
alot of prayers has been going up and god has answered them.roman is doing good.he still has to go back and fourth to the doctor,but i thanks god he's doing good.

Posted by: worker Location: kcc on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:58 AM
I no for facted that the cameras at KCC does not work. I was told that we didnt have the money in the budget to finish them for me to stop until we do. So stop the bad mouthing of the the cameras. THEY DONT WORK AT KCC. As for the bulling I see it going on every day here at KCC and I see that the teachers and staff not trying to hard to stop it. I hope that something gets done soon before some one dies before the board does something about it.

Posted by: Student Location: Knott on Nov 18, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I for one think Knott County Central is a joke. I mean its mostly the well-mannered students getting in trouble. Everyday I see PDA in the hallways and teachers looks and moves on. They do nothing to enforce the rules. Of course they enforce this as if they didnt they would most likely get sued. Many other students would agree with me when I speak the truth. This school is all about basketball. The others sports gets left behind. Knott Central is a bad school. Things needs to be done. New staff hired. Or at least make the ones we have enforce the rules.

Posted by: Student fr KCC Location: Hindman on Nov 18, 2008 at 05:33 AM
I agree with most of these comments. Knott Central really isnt one of the places I feel safe. And as far as I know about this whole deal, Roman didnt deserve what happened to him. Yes, he is a friend and I pray he has a fast recovery. I have never heard of him doing anyone harm. He is by far one of the sweetest guys at school. Kcc needs to get cameras that actually function properly, but that alone will not stop all the bullying... Many students just cant feel safe there anymore, and I am one of them. Hope you are checking these, Mr. Pollard, Kim King, Mr. Stamper! The truth has been let out for everyone.

Posted by: John on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:15 PM
bullying goes on everywhere, not just KCC.. The staff can only do so much.You'd think at these kid's age it wouldnt be as bad.Im so sick of reading how theirs so much bullyin at kcc.

Posted by: Student Location: Mousie on Nov 17, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Well last year about his time The students walked out of class and had a protest for bullying the students were sent back to class after wymtnews cameras arrived on the scene and the staff refused to allow them to enter. Ashamed Students want to help and nothing happend

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 17, 2008 at 01:36 PM
I hate how only one side of the story is told, I went to knott central and regardless of what people say, the bullying there is bad, some people just aren't around it as much as others so its bad that this happen, but it was over a girl so that means Roman was just as involved as the other boy I'm sure.

Posted by: Mary Location: Wayland on Nov 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Hi to the parents of Roman i have known you all for many years and I hope that Roman has a speedy recovery

Posted by: Observation Location: Knott Co. on Nov 17, 2008 at 11:12 AM
People- have you even read what you are writing here??? This happened at the Vocational School and it is my understanding, it IS in FACT on TAPE. So apparently the Principal there does a better job of managing his budget to keep his camera's going-which usually prevents behavior like this. I'm sure that's why they don't have things like this happen as often as KCC. Too bad KCC can't do the same! Children should learn to behave. We need to put the paddle back in schools. If parents aren't going to teach them self control and discipline and they expect school staff to do it for them, then I say line up the bully's along the wall and bust them one-it worked for all of us! Then maybe they will learn to respect themselves and others.

Posted by: Me Location: Knott on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I agree with the Parent who said the cameras don't work, My daughter had problems with a young guy who wanted to kill himself and her and would torment her everyday. He got out and told that my daughter done all this and it was on the cameras but, when I requested to see them I was told the cameras didnt work and the guy and his mother lied. I think the goverment needs to hire some of the teachers back and this would not happen. We dont have enought teachers every year they get fewer and fewer and then our children suffer. Lets all stand together and get some of the teachers back so that someone will be there for these problems. I know that Pollard and Stamper are just two people . We also need the good old paddle brought back that would help more than anything. Remember spare the rod spoil the child.

Posted by: john Location: ky on Nov 17, 2008 at 08:16 AM
i pray that roman has a full recovery.i agree with posted by friend he needs to be tried as an adult.you cant let things like this go on it could be worse next time.

Posted by: PARENT Location: HINDMAN on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM
YOU KNOW FOR A FACT THE SECURITY CAMERAS WORK???? THEN ANSWER THIS WHY WAS IT WHEN SOME OF THE ART STUDENTS HAD THEIR WORKED VANDALIZED AND THE PARENTS WANTED THE CAMERAS REVIEWED TO SEE WHO THE GUILTY PARTY WAS THEY WERE TOLD BY POLLARD AND STAMPER THAT THE CAMERAS WERE NOT WORKING...MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU GO MOUTHING OFF, MY KID WAS INVOLVED IN A FIGHT AND ONLY AFTER I THREATENED THEM WITH MY LAWYER...THEY ADMITTED THE CAMERAS DID NOT WORK..SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SING MR POLLARD'S PRAISES..UNTIL YOU ARE A VICTIM OF KCC'S BULLYING YOU WILL NEVER...NEVER UNDERSTAND

Posted by: Disgusted Location: Madison on Nov 16, 2008 at 10:42 PM
The fact that this site is allowing posts of alleged, unfounded sources is ridiculos.People should let the justice system and the families deal with this and stop posting a juvenile's name.I did not see a threating post made by the juvenile's family on here but people seem awfully upset that thier is more than one side to the story.Maybe they are afraid when the truth really comes out the victim will not look like such a victim afterall. And if this boy did have a knife,I don't think that I would have given him a chance to get up either.Maybe the juvinile should've just waited for the other boy to cut him first.Would people still say this was not called for then?Because one child possibly defended himself the other is being portryed as an innocent victim.A follow-up story with all the facts would clear this all up. I think the station owes it to eveyone to make sure the facts are clear and not just one version of the truth.Maybe they could talk to others involved and clear the air.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 16, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Yes the vameras did catch it all and the truth will be told!!! WYMT site is still allowing this juvenile name to be posted not good. As for none of your business..when you make a post it becomes EVERYONES business.

Posted by: You will find out later Location: Knott co. on Nov 16, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Ive seen the video and it clearly shows it was self defense and the 17 year old did nothing wrong. They are working on charges against Tbury as I type this. This is all I can say at this time.

Posted by: Tony Location: Pippa Passes on Nov 16, 2008 at 08:41 PM
This school is out of control. There is a major fight every other day and the last week there was a girl performing oral sex in the hallway on two guys. Madness!

Posted by: none of your business! Location: knott on Nov 16, 2008 at 04:22 PM
For all you people who said roman had a knife, its kind of hard to pull out a knife if your getting beat to death on the floor!!! for your info the vocational school got it on camera.

Posted by: Concerned Student Location: Hindman on Nov 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Okay. Knott Central isn't as bad as what people make it out to be. Yes, there are some fights but that's a part of every highschool. The students that fight are punished. Another thing is I know for a fact that the security cameras work. If you don't know for sure, keep your mouth shut. Another thing is Mr. Pollard and Mr. Stamper are trying their best to keep their school up scale. Do you know how hard it is to be a principal. To bein charge of over 500 kids? No. You don't. Give them a little credit at least. But on the other note, the boy is getting punished and I hope that Roman has a speedy recovery!

Posted by: Student Location: Knott on Nov 16, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Okay, this goes to the person who typed "to just let it go and not get around each other from now on" Do you even understand what you typed? If you were put in that position and almost killed by another student, would you just let it go and, not get around each other from now on? I don't think so! It really shows that you think like KCC does and prefer to settle things quick, easy, and quiet instead of doing everything you can to get proper justice and makes sure that something is done to prevent this happening again. This is very sad!

Posted by: kandykiss96 Location: Richmond on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM
As a former resident of Knott Co. and a grad of KCC, I can see not much has changed. Only one side of the story is being told. I know the young boy accused of this and I do know that back and forth bickering has existed between these two boys before. To portray one as a devil while portraying the other as an angel is obviously the result of ignorance and misguidance. The facts need to come out and they will. I just hope the newscamers are around when the whole story is brought to light. Parents should really focus on why, as usual, no teachers took an active role listening and observing what was really happening right under thier noses. Well, I guess some things never change it has to be one of thier bunch before they really care at all. When a child feels he is not being heard by the people who should be dealing with things, what should he do? Wait to be stabbed or defend himself? By the way the girl mentioned is the 19 yr old fiance of the accused. Roman is her brother's best friend.

Posted by: Concerned Student Location: Topmost on Nov 15, 2008 at 09:45 PM
I have known Roman for several years. He and I went to grade school together and continue to go to school together at Knott Central. I would just like to say that Roman never has a bad thing to say about anyone and he is one of the nicest people I've ever known. I hope that the other boy gets his just desserts because he deserves whatever he gets. Get well soon, Roman. All of us are praying for you and we hope you have a speedy recovery.

Posted by: JESSE Location: HINDMAN on Nov 15, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I am a student at KCCHS, and although this fight happened at the vocational school, daily fights are common at the high school. I DO NOT feel safe, simply because of all the bullying that is allowed to go on. And when a fight breaks out there is NEVER any teachers around to break it up. I do not go anywhere alone at school, I want to transfer to a different school, but financially its just impossible.

Posted by: Concerned Parent Location: Knott County on Nov 15, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I think Knott Central needs to be renamed BULLY CENTRAL. I know of two fights this year in the lunchroom, and NO teacher or any staff member were present, students actually had to step in and break up the fight. Also a student was beaten and was unresponsive when the ambulance arrived, and why is this being kept so quiet? I am proud of this young man for having the courage to tell his story, and yes Mr Pollard is all about image, while Mr Stamper is all about basketball. Hopefully parents of potential students at KCC will see this and find a more suitable and safe environment for their child to get an education. Also I think it is worth mentioning that KCC has security cameras in place, but because of limited funds these cameras aren't operational but thankfully the Basketball team will look great this season in their NEW UNIFORMS.

Posted by: Student Location: Hindman on Nov 15, 2008 at 06:48 PM
I'm a student at KCC and although i'm sadden about what happend to Roman who is such a great guy i'm very happy to see stories like these get out to the public. There is way too much bullying goes on daily at KCC and nothing is done about it. Pollard tries to cover everything up to make the school look better. I'm so proud of Roman for getting his story out. More need to be done to put a end to all of this. Thank you so much Roman for being brave and speaking out to help make a better KCC for the future.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Pike County on Nov 15, 2008 at 01:44 PM
This is a shame! The young man who did the "hitting" and beating should be punished and shown that you just can't get by with this type of violence.....

Posted by: Anonymous Location: knott on Nov 15, 2008 at 12:24 PM
if what thornbury did the other is self defence .they saib t-bury had a knife to cut him they just tood half of the story as i was told .they 17yr olds uncle and nephews wouldnt stop at that. whats done is don e let it go .t-bury is ok thats good .just dont get around each other from now on

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