BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—The family of school shooter Bryan Oliver has filed a lawsuit seeking $5.5 million against the Taft Union High School District claiming that it failed to follow its own policies on bullying and sexual harassment.
Oliver’s family alleges that he was repeatedly bullied and, in one instance, sexually assaulted by a classmate, and that “The school knew what was going on.” The students made fun of him for having red hair and being overweight. Additionally, they yelled homophobic slurs at Oliver, who was coming to terms with the fact that he is gay, reports LGBTQ Nation.
A psychologist retained by the Kern County Public Defender’s office said Oliver had post-traumatic stress disorder and was bipolar, causing him to experience a “disassociative” episode when he brought a shotgun to school and fired it at classmate Bowe Cleveland, critically injuring him, the Bakersfield Californian reports.
The family of Cleveland has also filed a lawsuit against the district, claiming district officials knew Oliver was dangerous.
The legal actions by both the victim and the shooter were prompted by the Jan. 2013 school shooting in which Oliver shot Cleveland in the chest. A teacher and school counselor were able to convince Oliver to put down his gun. Oliver has pled guilty and was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the attack.
