A music teacher was arrested for child abuse on Friday after repeatedly punching a 14-year-old student who allegedly hurled racial slurs at him in class.
Footage of the incident, which took place at Maywood Academy High School, shows Marston Riley, aged 64, pummelling the student with his fists as students and a woman wearing a bright yellow safety vest try to intervene. The clip was filmed on another student's cellphone.
CBS Los Angeles, which spoke to teens who were at the scene, reported the 14-year-old, who has not been named, had been reprimanded in band class for not wearing the proper uniform. The news outlet reported the student "responded with a tirade of racist profanity."
In a statement this weekend, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the boy had been transported to hospital where he was treated for moderate injuries. He has since been released. Police confirmed the physical altercation had started at around 1:15 p.m. on Friday.
Riley was arrested for child abuse and booked at East Los Angeles Station. He later posted $50,000 bond and has since been released from jail. His arraignment was scheduled for November 30. The investigation remains "active and ongoing," officials said.
"Extremely disturbed"
Los Angeles Unified Schools spokeswoman, Shannon Haber, stated: "We are extremely disturbed by the reports of the events that occurred at Maywood Academy High School."
The news outlet reported that the situation escalated after the student was told to leave the classroom. As shouts erupted, the beating had continued for at least 30 seconds.
"We take this matter very seriously and do not condone violence or intolerance of any kind," Haber continued, as first reported by NBC Los Angeles. "Los Angeles Unified is cooperating with law enforcement in investigating this incident. Crisis counselors and additional school police patrols will be at the school on Monday to support our students and staff."
