Teacher Asks for Homework, Student Pulls Gun Instead

A routine question about missing homework reportedly escalated into a frightening confrontation at Julian Cho Technical High School. Police say a student allegedly displayed what appeared to be a firearm after a teacher asked for his demerit card. The object was later identified as an imitation weapon, but the incident has raised serious concerns about student conduct and safety inside the classroom. The student has since been suspended, while community policing officers investigate. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith provides an update.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“I can confirm that the community policing unit in Punta Gorda are investigating an incident whereby it is alleged that upon a teacher making an inquiry of a student for his homework and when that student was not able to give up his homework, the teacher asked for the demerit card and the student is alleged to have gone into his pants waist and pulled out an imitation firearm and placed it back into his pants waist. Eventually, with the encouragement of his classmate, the student handed over the imitation firearm. As of now, no formal report has been made by the teacher who is the subject of this incident. However, as stated, the community policing unit has gotten involved and as further developments are made, the media will be advised.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: