Irvin E. Rodriguez Gaitan spent several days in the ICU before returning home to continue his recovery

NEED TO KNOW

• Irvin E. Rodriguez Gaitan was seriously injured in an assault involving another student, his family said
• The altercation happened on Monday, Sept. 14, at Meadowbrook High School in Virginia
• Rodriguez suffered life-threatening brain injuries and is now home recovering, according to his family

A Meadowbrook High School student who suffered life-threatening brain injuries after an alleged assault at school earlier this week is now home and recovering, according to his family.

Irvin E. Rodriguez Gaitan was involved in an altercation with another student at the Virginia high school on Monday, Sept. 14, his family told WWBT.

The incident began when Rodriguez was walking through a hallway with his girlfriend and accidentally bumped into another student, according to his family. The other student then allegedly attacked him, the family told the outlet.

A School Resource Officer initially requested EMS to Meadowbrook High after what they believed was a medical emergency, according to WRIC.

Police later confirmed they were investigating an assault at the school.

“Police are on scene at Meadowbrook High School after an assault. There is no ongoing threat at this time, but the school is in a secured status while Police investigate,” the Chesterfield County Police Department said in a social media post on Sept. 14.

The school division said the campus was placed on lockdown before moving to a hold status, during which students remained in their classrooms and instruction continued.

“Meadowbrook High is no longer on lockdown; the school has moved to a hold status,” the school division said in a statement to 12 On Your Side. “Earlier this morning, there was a student altercation and police and EMS were called to respond. Police have shared that there is no ongoing threat at the school.”

No weapons were involved in the altercation, according to WWBT. The suspect was charged with aggravated malicious wounding and is being held in a juvenile detention center, the outlet reported. The suspect’s identity was not released because they are a minor.

Rodriguez was taken to a hospital after the incident, according to his family. He suffered life-threatening brain injuries, the family told WWBT.

His condition began to improve in the days that followed.

In an update posted to a GoFundMe organized by his brother Kevin Rodriguez on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the family said Rodriguez remained in the ICU but had regained consciousness.

“As of today, he is still in the ICU, but we are incredibly grateful that he has woken up. He has been able to talk to us and eat a little,” Kevin wrote.

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The following day, the family announced that Rodriguez had been released from the ICU and later shared that he was home.

“My parents, sister and I are happy and grateful to share that my brother is finally HOME! ❤️,” Kevin wrote on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The family said Rodriguez still has a long recovery ahead of him and asked for continued prayers and support.

The GoFundMe was created to help the family cover expenses related to Rodriguez’s recovery, including medical costs, time away from work, transportation and rehabilitation, according to the fundraiser.

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