Westfield Teen Says Woman Attacked Her at School Event

WESTFIELD, Ind — A 17-year-old Westfield girl says a woman verbally and physically confronted her while she was working at a Turning Point USA booth during a back-to-school event last week.

Sophia Hunt, president of her school’s Turning Point USA chapter, says she was working with other chapter members at Rock the Block when the confrontation happened.

“I was working with my Turning Point chapter, my secretary and president, and we were talking to families about what Turning Point was, what it does within our school and what we stand for,” Hunt said.

Hunt says a young boy approached the booth and tried to grab a red, white and blue bracelet. She says his mother pulled him away.

“I looked at her and said, ‘Hey, are you OK?’” Hunt said.

Hunt says the woman then confronted her.

“She immediately responded, ‘Why the F are you asking me if I’m OK?’ She slapped it out of my hand and started cursing at us and screaming at us,” Hunt said.

Hunt says the woman also criticized the political figures and causes supported by the students at the booth.

“She was calling the people we support racist, homophobic and disgusting,” Hunt said.

Hunt says the confrontation continued online after the event. She says the woman posted videos about her and called her racist, homophobic and transphobic.

“She hopes this follows me into college and my future employment,” Hunt said.

Hunt also denies an allegation she says the woman made about her taking pictures of children in bathrooms.

“She accused me of taking pictures of children in bathrooms, which is completely false,” Hunt said.

Westfield police have opened an investigation into allegations of battery and harassment. Hunt says she believes the confrontation stemmed from her political involvement with Turning Point USA.

“I’m 17 years old, and this is a grown woman who has continued making videos about me because she disagrees with my politics,” Hunt said.

Hunt says the incident won’t stop the student organization from being active at her school.

“This isn’t going to hurt Turning Point in our school,” Hunt said. “Our chapter has over 200 amazing members, and this year we’re bringing in state and local leaders, having real conversations and getting students involved.”

Hunt says the chapter plans to discuss issues affecting students in Indiana and across the country.