GASTON COUNTY, N.C. – A disturbing video surfaced online Wednesday, appearing to show a Gaston County student hit a classmate while in a classroom.

A video published to social media on Wednesday, March 26 — which has since been seen thousands of times — shows a student hitting another classmate from behind at Ashbrook High School. The student who was hit appears to fall to the ground, and can be heard apparently crying.

The student who allegedly hit their classmate can then be seen getting up from the desk, and then apparently hitting the classmate at least two more times in the head. The student getting hit appears to curl up on the floor to protect themself.

Those sharing the video allege the student who was hit is a special needs student — though officials have not confirmed that information, as of this writing.

Authorities did confirm that the incident happened on Tuesday, March 25. A spokesperson with Gaston County Schools said that the school is “aware of the video that surfaced on social media,” and that law enforcement have gotten involved.