Chase Coleman
Chase Coleman
Chase Coleman is a high school student athlete from Syracuse, New York. [undefined]
Athletics
Chase Coleman was a student athlete who competed in cross country running at Corcoran High School in Syracuse. Chase was a freshman at the school. [undefined]
Chase is autistic and non-verbal.
He would often get lost or take longer than other students while competing in cross country.
However he enjoyed the sport and was always cheered on by his mother, Clarice.
Clarice also thought the team was great for Chase saying “For an Autistic, nonverbal student to have joined a team, to be competing in organized athletic programs and acting as a part of a team and community is the kind of success we strive for,” “I just thought it was wonderful.”
Assault
On October 14, 57 year old, Martin MacDonald assaulted Chase Coleman after Chase got lost during a cross country race.
Martin pushed Chase over since he thought that he was going to rob his car.
Chase's mother found the accusation baseless saying:
“I said impossible.
That’s a lie.
Chase doesn’t even know how to defend himself.
What?
He can barely ride a bike,” she said.
“[Chase] was in a uniform.
He had a number pinned to him.
How did you think that he was out trolling to steal your car?
Chase's mother also believes the attack was racially motivated as Martin is White / Caucasian, and there is no explanation for the attack. [undefined]
After the attack Chase's parents reported the assault to the police and found Martin's license plate.
When Martin was caught by police he admitted to pushing Chase.
Despite Martin admitting to the assault, On Oct. 21, Rochester City Court Judge Caroline Morrison sent a letter to the Colemans, stating that she had denied their warrant application, and that Martin would not be charged for second-degree harassment.
After the assault, Chase felt traumatized and stopped going to cross country practices.