HOCKINSON HIGH SCHOOL senior Freddie Potwin said bullies set his car on fire during the early morning hours of May 21, right outside of his home.
A GOFUNDME account has been set up for Freddie Potwin after he said bullies set his car on fire outside of his house.
FREDDIE POTWIN is hoping to bring awareness to bullying after he said his car was set on fire by bullies on May 21.
Freddie Potwin, a senior at Hockinson High School in Brush Prairie, said people have been bullying him since the beginning of the school year.
However, he said bullies took their antics to a new level when they set his car on fire right outside his home during the early morning hours of May 21.
“I’ve been going to Hockinson since third grade,” Potwin said. “People have been bullying me since the beginning of the year. Like rumors, harassment, threats, etc.”
According to a KATU Channel 2 news report, Potwin had bought his car less than a month ago and had just replaced the car’s worn out motor and got it through emissions testing.
Potwin said the Clark County fire marshal is investigating the arson, and he said school officials are just now taking action.
“The police officer at my school has been no help,” Potwin said. “He’s told me it’s my fault someone did this to me because I choose who I hang out with. I tried to tell him I don’t pick my haters (that’s what I call bullies). The school just needs better communication in the office.”
Potwin’s aunt recently set up a GoFundMe account in order to help him raise money for a new car and to get the word out about bullying. By Friday afternoon, it had raised $1,643. Anyone wishing to donate can do so by going to the page, https://www.gofundme.com/264825a4.
On the GoFundMe page, Potwin’s aunt wrote: “Freddie has been working for years to save enough money to purchase his very first car. He has been very vigilant in finding jobs and activities to buy his car and restore it all by hand. He has put in more time and effort than any kid I know, he has been so proud of himself and we have been so very proud of his dedication. He just got everything finished and has only recently been able to finally drive this car that he has been so dedicated to.”
“These children that have been bullying Freddie at Hockinson High School decided to take it a step farther... They went to his home in the middle of the night and set his car on fire. The school has done nothing to stop the bullying at school and because of that these kids think this is OK and have now ruined something that meant so much to my nephew. This school has a long history of children bullying with no consequences. Bullying has now lead to arson. These kids need to learn and my family is hoping we will be able to bring them to justice.”
According to the GoFundMe page, Bully This and PNW Car Enthusiasts are helping to put on an event to get the word out about bullying as well, which will be held Friday, June 3. Specific details can be found on their Facebook pages.
Sarah Coomber, communications coordinator for Educational Service District 112, said officials at Hockinson High School cannot comment on the incident at this time, as it is currently under investigation.
