A Long Beach high school surfer named William Frey is suing the Long Beach Unified School District. He claims they failed to protect him after he was brutally attacked by his surf teammates, who also threatened his life.
In April 2025, Frey, 17, was hanging out with his teammate Owen Keller’s younger sister, Ainsley. Keller wasn’t pleased and threatened Frey over a phone call, saying he would come to find him. Just minutes later, Keller showed up at Frey’s home. According to court documents, he yelled threats and eventually returned with two other teammates, Samuel Katz and Joseph Ziroli.
The group broke into Frey’s garage and attacked him. They allegedly punched and kicked him numerous times while one of them recorded the attack. Fortunately, bystanders intervened, and Frey escaped. He later reported injuries to the police, who documented bruises and cuts on his body. The attack also caused over $5,000 in damage to his home.
After the beating, Keller continued to send Frey threatening messages, and video footage of the assault circulated on social media. Frey’s mother informed school officials about ongoing threats, but administrators claimed they could do little since the attack occurred off school property.
A temporary restraining order was issued against Keller and his friends, but it didn’t stop the harassment. Instead, Frey faced bullying at school, with classmates wrongly labeling him a pedophile because of his friendship with Ainsley. A death threat sent through the school’s reporting app only escalated the situation. Although a safety plan was created, it provided little real protection. Keller and his friends were allowed to continue attending classes and participating in activities, leaving Frey feeling unsafe.
Since the attack, Frey has experienced severe mental health consequences and has withdrawn from social interactions. The lawsuit seeks damages from the school district and the parents of the attackers. Frey has since moved to Santa Barbara and is now attending Santa Barbara City College.
This tragic incident sheds light on the ongoing issues of bullying and school violence. According to a 2023 study by the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly one in five students reported being bullied at school. Schools must take these issues seriously and create safe environments for all students to thrive.
Frey’s situation is a stark reminder of the importance of support systems in schools. Experts believe that effective response mechanisms could prevent bullying and ensure students feel safe. Open dialogue and proper reporting channels are essential for tackling such issues.
As society continues to grapple with bullying, it’s crucial to remember the impact such actions can have on young lives. Keeping schools safe should be everyone’s responsibility.
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