Footage showing an angry student punching a Baltimore high school teacher in the face after reportedly fighting with another pupil went viral this week.
With tens of thousands of views on Instagram, the cell phone clip was filmed Wednesday at Frederick Douglass High School in the Baltimore City Public Schools district.
The video, which contains explicit language, shows the student being restrained at the door of a classroom before lashing out at the teacher, striking her on the left side of the head.
The student says: "F*** is you talking about? Dont f***ing get smart with me, straight up."
"I didn't get smart with you," the teacher replies, following the student out of the classroom. School officials confirmed the incident took place, but didn't name any of those involved.
Edie House Foster, with Baltimore City Public Schools, said in a statement to local news outlet CBS Baltimore (WJZ13) that the violent incident was under investigation.
"School administrators at Frederick Douglass High School continue to investigate a physical altercation that took place today when a teacher was struck by a student following a verbal exchange." Foster said.
"Ensuring a safe teaching and learning environment for our students and staff is paramount to City Schools. Upon reviewing the incident, administrators will apply disciplinary action in accordance with Baltimore City Public Schools' Code of Conduct."
It remains unclear if criminal charges will be filed.
A parent of a child at the school, Icsha Flowers, told CBS Baltimore: "That's a mess, that right there, that's just not cool. These kids today are out of control. See mine right there? Wouldn't have never happened."
Not every teacher can keep their cool in such situations. Last week, a California music teacher was arrested for alleged child abuse after cell phone footage emerged showing him repeatedly punching a 14-year-old student. The confrontation kicked off after the teenager hurled racial slurs at the teacher, aged 64.
He was booked on a $50,000 bail and released 24 hours later. A GoFundMe page in support of the teacher, Marston Riley, received more than $160,000.
"We all may have mixed feelings about what happened," the campaign stated. "But please do know that this is not the first time that Mr. Riley is attacked; physically or verbally. He is a great person and a great teacher."
The teen Riley punched, who had reportedly talked back after being told off for not wearing the correct school uniform, was transported to hospital and treated for moderate injuries.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jason Murdock is a staff reporter for Newsweek.
Based in London, Murdock previously covered cybersecurity for the International Business Times UK ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
