MINNEAPOLIS - An 18-year-old student is charged with first degree assault after an attack at a Minneapolis alternative school that left a staff member is hospitalized with significant injuries.
Corey David Burfield was arraigned Thursday in Hennepin County District Court. He was released without bail, and placed on home incarceration under the supervision of his mother. Burfield was allowed furlough for doctors visits.
The victim, Mohammad Dukuly's family members attended the court appearance. They said they are disappointed about the decision from the judge.
"We don't even know whether he's going to be restored to normalcy," Dukuly's uncle Imam Mohammad Dukuly said. "What we would have loved to see, even if the judge were to release him, at least he should be on bail."
The attack took place at Harrison Education Center around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. The criminal complaint details how a school resource officer witnessed Burfield knock 43-year-old Dukuly to the ground and punch him a number of times. Dukuly was rushed to the hospital, while Burfield was taken into custody.
Surveillance video shows Burfield approaching the victim and grabbing for his belt, which had a school radio and building keys on it. As Dukuly attempted to push him away the defendant grabbed him, shoved him into a wall and then down on the ground where he punched the victim numerous times. When questioned on the matter Burfield claimed that Dukuly took a swing at him, something the tape does not reflect.
Family members tell KARE 11 that they are hoping Dukuly will be transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit soon. Dukuly's uncle said Dukuly is sitting up and speaking but does not remember much of the incident.
Imam Dukuly explained that his nephew with whom he shares the same name, has worked at Harrison for about 10 years. Imam Dukuly said he has always gone to work with an open heart.
"This is about this generosity towards uplifting everybody," Dukuly said. "Otherwise, it's not about how much money he makes there, it's about his passion to help humanity."
Dukuly's family says they are anxious to learn the results of an investigation by the Minneapolis Public Schools, and determine whether this student has been responsible for other acts of violence.
"What are the measures that the school has put in place if you are involved in violent behavior before to avoid such recurrence?" Dukuly said.
Until the investigation yields answers, Dukuly said he and his family will be relying on their faith.
"We hope that he can be restored to normalcy, that's our prayer," Dukuly said. "That's our hope. That's what the family hopes for and that's what the community hopes for."
The Minneapolis Public Schools released a statement on the attack.
"We are aware of an incident this morning at Harrison Education Center in which a staff member was injured and in need of emergency medical attention. Due to the nature of the incident the Minneapolis Police Department is involved. Our priority is to provide safe learning environments for all of our students and staff. Anytime an injury occurs we conduct a full investigation and we will do so in this case. We are unable to share specific details at this time due to data privacy laws, however, we extend our thoughts to the staff member and their family."
Dukuly's relatives say he is a compassionate man who lives to help people, and believe he will return to the classroom if he recovers physically.
Harrison provides services for students with significant emotional and behavioral issues.
Thursday morning, Minneapolis Public Schools superintendent Ed Graff said in a news conference that they are looking to have more training for staff at Harrison to adapt to the changing needs of the student body.
"It's not just about our academics or curriculum," Graff said. "It's about the emotional needs, it's about the mental health needs of our students and families and we have to continue to look at that as well."
This is not the first attack on a Harrison staff member. In December of 2015 Principal Monica Fabre was assaulted by a teen who had been suspended from the school and was not supposed to be on campus. She was grabbed by the hair, dragged to the ground and punched in the head several times. Fabre suffered a concussion and was unable to return to work on the advice of her doctor.