Manhattan Beach Middle School Principal issues Statement over Hermosa 'e-bike assault'

A letter from Manhattan Beach Middle School Principal Dr. Matthew Horvath to parents yesterday addresses the involvement of an unspecified number of MBMS students in the events of 21st November during which a local man in his 50s was seriously assaulted on 11th Court in Hermosa Beach.

It should be noted that it is not publicly known at this stage whether all of the juveniles identified are MBMS students, or if all are Manhattan Beach residents.

Dr. Horvath was appointed to his role in July 2025.

Dr. Matthew Horvath's letter in full :

Dear MBMS Community,

I want to address the recent incident widely reported in the news involving teenagers on e-bikes in Hermosa Beach, during which a man in his 50s was seriously injured. This event has understandably caused concern, anger, and sadness across our community, and I share those feelings. While I must protect student privacy and respect the ongoing police investigation, I can confirm that MBMS students were involved in this off-campus incident. I also recognize that students may feel unsettled or confused by what they are seeing in the news or hearing from peers, and our counselors are available to support any student who may need it. Families are encouraged to reach out if additional resources or guidance would be helpful.

What I Can Share at This Time

The incident occurred in the City of Hermosa Beach, and therefore the Hermosa Beach Police Department is the agency responsible for the investigation. Because the students are minors and there is an active police investigation, I cannot provide any specific details about the students, the status of the investigation, or potential consequences. The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) strictly prohibits schools from disclosing personally identifiable student information in situations like this.

What I can say is the following:

· Your students are safe at school. This behavior is unacceptable and will never be tolerated at MBMS.

· We take this incident extremely seriously, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement.

· As information is made available, we will share updates with the community to the extent that we can under the law.

A Call for Community Responsibility

The recent news coverage reflects what many of us have been witnessing in the community: groups of kids on e-bikes engaging in unsafe or aggressive behavior and putting themselves and others at serious risk. While this incident occurred off campus and outside school hours, it does not lessen the obligation we have as educators, parents, and caregivers to have crucial conversations with our kids about what is right and what is wrong.

I am asking all families to have direct, honest conversations with their children about:

· Safe, responsible, and lawful e-bike operation.

· Understanding that actions outside of school have real-world consequences.

· Speaking up when things feel off or see others making decisions that can hurt themselves or others.

These conversations are essential for all kids, not only those directly involved.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

When I first arrived at MBMS, I shared my commitment to fostering a school environment where every student feels safe, supported, and heard. This recent incident is deeply concerning, and we want you to know that we are approaching it with the utmost seriousness, care, and confidentiality. We remain focused on student safety, character development, and shared responsibility, and in the weeks ahead we will reinforce expectations through advisory lessons, AIRE sessions, and continued collaboration with our local partners. I ask for our community’s partnership in allowing law enforcement to complete their investigation and in helping us support all students during this difficult moment.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the well-being of our school community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Horvath

We have crafted these Talking Points for Staff to support our students should they have questions or concerns about the incident. These are great talking points for you to use at home with your children.

1. Guidance for Students Who May Hear About the Incident at School on Monday

Avoid spreading rumors or trying to identify or discuss specific students involved.
If something you hear makes you uncomfortable, confused, or upset, talk to a trusted adult (counselor, teacher, administrator).
Be kind and respectful to peers. This is a sensitive situation and not everyone knows the same information.
If peers begin discussing the incident in a way that feels inappropriate, unkind, or unsafe, walk away and notify an adult.
Focus on maintaining a safe, calm, and supportive school environment for all students.

2. Talking Points for Parents and Staff on How to Guide Conversations

Emphasize safety, responsibility, and the importance of making good choices both in and out of school.
Reinforce that violence, aggression, or unsafe behavior on e-bikes or otherwise is never acceptable.
Remind students that law enforcement, not peers or parents, is responsible for determining what happened.
Encourage students to share their feelings and ask questions if they feel unsettled by what they’ve heard or seen.
Discourage speculation, gossip, or blaming, instead focus instead on values, empathy, and learning from difficult events.
Stress that privacy laws prevent schools from discussing specifics, and that families should avoid trying to identify students.

3. Sensitivity Toward Students Whose Families May Not Discuss the Incident

Recognize that not all students will know about the incident, avoid assuming what others do or don’t know.
Avoid pressuring peers to talk about it or questioning them if they don’t respond.
Understand that some students may feel caught off guard hearing about it at school; treat them with patience and care.
Maintain a culture of empathy, everyone processes news differently, and some families may choose not to talk about it.
Keep conversations respectful and be mindful that this topic may be emotionally heavy or confusing for some students.