His family says Lukas is slowly recovering after emergency surgery, with the community rallying around him and raising nearly $40,000 to help cover medical costs.

 

Lukas Hardeman, 14, had to have parts of his skull removed after he was attacked by another student on August 21 at a middle school in Kilgore, Texas

 

The first week of the school year in Kilgore, Texas, turned into a nightmare for one family when a cafeteria altercation left a 14-year-old boy fighting for his life.

What began as a seemingly harmless joke among classmates on August 21 escalated into violence so severe that doctors were forced to remove part of the teen’s skull to relieve pressure on his brain.

The story of Lukas Hardeman, a creative and soft-spoken eighth grader, has shaken the community and sparked urgent questions about student safety across the district.

According to his parents, Lukas was in the cafeteria of his middle school when another student suddenly picked him up and body-slammed him to the floor.

Witnesses said he struck his head against a metal pole attached to a stool during the fall. The impact caused multiple brain bleeds and swelling, leaving him unconscious and in critical condition.

Emergency responders rushed him nearly two hours away to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where surgeons performed life-saving procedures, including the removal of part of his skull to reduce swelling.

The extent of his injuries was devastating. Lukas required more than 60 staples in his head and remained hospitalized for weeks. His stepmother, Catom Morris-Hardeman, explained that the surgery was necessary to keep him alive.

 

His father and step-mother (pictured with the teen) said he was thrown into a metal pole after he cracked a joke

 

“He’s embarrassed. He is hurt. He is struggling,” his father, Michael Hardeman, told local reporters. “But I hope when he sees all of this support, he knows he has so much family behind him. I hope that one day he feels confident again.”

The attack has left Lukas with a long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally. In a video shared by relatives, he could be seen carefully eating applesauce in his hospital bed, a milestone that was celebrated by friends and supporters as a sign of progress.

After about a week, he was discharged and welcomed home by a crowd of neighbors and classmates cheering his return.

The family describes Lukas as a loving teenager who enjoys drawing, gaming, and spending time with his siblings.

In the aftermath of the incident, they set up a fundraising campaign to help cover medical expenses, travel costs to Dallas, and future doctor visits. Nearly \$40,000 has already been raised, with donations pouring in from across Texas and beyond.

“We have had so many calls, messages, and donations,” Michael said. “It shows that there are still good people out there. We have been very blessed.”

 

He experienced several brain bleeds, swelling, more than 60 staples in his head, and had to have portions of his skull taken out because of the viscous attack

 

As Lukas recovers, the incident has ignited fierce debate within Kilgore Independent School District. Just days after the attack, the school board convened a meeting to address growing concerns from parents.

Jason Smith, the district’s school board president, issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the event.

“The safety, well-being, and trust of students, staff, and community remain the district’s top priorities,” he wrote. However, he noted that state laws prevent the district from releasing specific details about disciplinary actions against the other student involved.

Parents, however, are demanding transparency and change. At a packed meeting, one mother said, “For the first time, I feel nervous to send my child to middle school.”

Another parent pressed district officials on policies for repeat offenders, asking: “What is the district’s policy for students who repeatedly commit violence, even in alternative placement? How are students and staff protected when these behaviors continue?”

The incident comes amid broader concerns about violence in Kilgore schools.

Since August 20, ambulances have been dispatched to the district’s middle school twice and once to the high school, according to local reports. These repeated emergencies have rattled parents who fear that aggressive behavior is going unchecked.

 

Hardeman is seen recovering in the hospital before he was sent home and welcomed by a group of supporters

 

In response, Kilgore ISD announced a “thorough review of campus safety measures, communication practices, and programs in place across campuses.”

A district spokesperson confirmed that “appropriate student disciplinary consequences” had been applied in accordance with the student code of conduct, though they declined to say whether the other child involved faced suspension, expulsion, or criminal referral.

Beyond the school board’s response, the community has rallied around Lukas and his family. Supporters have delivered meals, sent cards, and organized prayer vigils.

At one gathering, a pastor called Lukas “a miracle child” and reminded the crowd that “his survival is proof of God’s hand.” His father echoed the sentiment, saying, “My son is only alive today because of Jesus, and he had His hands around his heart.”

The attack has also drawn attention to the broader issue of bullying and impulsive violence among middle schoolers. Experts point out that adolescence is a period where conflicts can quickly escalate if not addressed early.

Dr. Allison Greene, a Dallas-based child psychologist not directly connected to the case, explained, “When a child feels embarrassed or perceives disrespect, the reaction can be explosive.

Schools need more preventive programs to teach conflict resolution and emotional regulation before incidents like this happen.”

 

Hardeman (far left) has been described as 'a creative, loving teenager who enjoys drawing, gaming, and spending time with his siblings and family'

 

While Lukas continues to heal, his family is focusing on small victories. He has begun walking short distances with assistance and is slowly regaining his appetite.

Doctors have told the Hardemans that recovery could take months or even years, with the possibility of additional surgeries to reconstruct the parts of his skull that were removed.

For the Kilgore community, the cafeteria attack is a painful reminder of the vulnerability of children in school settings.

It has prompted renewed demands for better supervision during lunch periods, stricter consequences for violent behavior, and more support for victims of bullying.

As Lukas’s father put it, “This isn’t just about my son. It’s about every kid in Kilgore who deserves to feel safe when they walk into school.”

For now, the Hardemans remain grateful that Lukas is alive and surrounded by support. His journey back to health will be long, but his family is determined to see him return to the creative, joyful teenager he was before that August morning changed everything.