His family had just enjoyed a typical weekend together, filled with games and laughter. But behind Sammy’s bright smile was a silent struggle that ended in tragedy.
His parents reported that he was physically assaulted on the school bus, punched in the face, and even told by peers to harm himself. Despite reaching out to the school approximately 20 times, their pleas for help went unanswered. The school district has since been named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Sammy’s parents, alleging negligence in addressing the bullying their son faced. [WDAM]
His parents have become advocates for change, pushing for nationwide anti-bullying legislation to prevent other families from experiencing similar pain.
We’re building the Echo Movement with the same bold energy you see in the world’s most forward-thinking platforms.
On September 10, 2025, America saw two school shootings in one day — one at Utah Valley University and another at Evergreen High School in Colorado. As Colorado relives the trauma of Columbine nearly three decades later, we must confront how bullying, trauma, and silence fuel cycles of violence that continue to devastate our schools.
On August 27, 2025, tragedy struck Minneapolis when a shooter opened fire during a school Mass at the Church of the Annunciation. Two children were killed, 18 others were injured, and countless lives were shattered. This was the 44th school shooting in the U.S. in 2025—a devastating reminder that our children are growing up in a world where violence echoes through classrooms, churches, and communities.
On June 4, 2024, 15-year-old Brandon Hatchell, a freshman at Darlington High School in South Carolina, was found dead in his home. His death has been ruled a suicide, and his family is now taking legal action against the Darlington County School District, alleging that ongoing bullying and negligence by school officials contributed directly to his death. The lawsuit claims that repeated reports of harassment were ignored, leaving Brandon feeling hopeless and unprotected.