Student Charged In Severe Beating Over Sneakers At Detroit Charter School

DETROIT (WWJ) - A student at a Detroit charter school has been charged with assault in the beating of another student over shoes.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the 15-year old student was expected to appear Monday afternoon at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Willie Wallace was left clinging to life, police said, after he was beat up as he walked to class at Allen Academy last Wednesday.

Wallace reportedly suffered a seizure, fractured skull, bleeding in his brain, and damage to his chin, cheek and neck in the attack, which went on for about five minutes. He remains hospitalized in an intensive care unit where he was last reported in critical condition.

A teacher was in the classroom and tried to break up the assault, police said, but was unable to intervene until the major damage was done. Police say part of the attack was caught on a security camera, but a majority of the attack took place in the classroom, out of frame.

Wallace's mother said the fight stemmed from an earlier dispute when some older kids tried to take Wallace's expensive Nike Air Force shoes.

The name of the student charged has not been released.

MORE: Teen In ICU After Fight Over Shoes At Detroit Charter School