A high school student in Nevada has been arrested for allegedly assaulting and attempting to kill his teacher amid a classroom discussion about his grades.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said in a Friday press release that an unnamed 16-year-old student had been arrested on charges of attempted murder, sexual assault, battery with intent to commit sexual assault, first-degree kidnapping, and robbery.
Police said that the incident occurred on Thursday after the student entered the classroom to "talk about his grades." During the discussion, the student allegedly "got violent and began punching the victim and strangled her until she lost consciousness," according to the LVMPD release.
Officers arrived at Eldorado High School on Thursday afternoon and found a female teacher being treated for multiple injuries inside a classroom. Emergency personnel transported the teacher to a local hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
The student fled the classroom following the alleged attack and was later found at a different location and taken into custody "without incident." He was then booked into Las Vegas' Clark County Detention Center. The teacher, whose name was not released, was discovered by another employee of the school.
The Clark County School District (CCSD) shared two messages related to the incident with Newsweek.
CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara said that "violent acts, assaults, and bullying will not be tolerated in the Clark County School District" in a message addressed to district staff, adding that "those who choose to engage in these activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
"I am devastated, and the CCSD family hurts for the teacher assaulted at Eldorado High School," wrote Jara. "Our hearts are heavy because of the violence committed against her, and we pray for her full recovery."
"While this incident is now in the hands of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, rest assured that this suspect will be held to account for his actions," he continued. "Let me say again, unequivocally, violence will not be tolerated at Clark County Schools or against our students or staff."
In a message sent to parents, Eldorado High School Principal Christina Brockett said that the incident marked a "difficult time for our school community," while thanking "staff who helped respond to the terrible situation and helped a colleague in need."
"We are doing everything possible to support our students, staff, and community," Brockett said. "I want the Eldorado family to know that this is an isolated incident. The suspect was arrested, thanks to the quick work of CCSD Police."
"Eldorado is an amazing school with students and staff who are here to support each other," she continued. "While it will take time, we will work through this and emerge a stronger Sundevil family."
LVMPD declined to comment or provide further information about the incident when contacted by Newsweek.
Last October, Texas officials alleged that a high school student in Fort Bend County injured a teacher in an "aggressive" attack. The following month, an investigation was launched in Fort Worth after a viral video allegedly showed a white student hitting a Black teacher.
Florida's Pine Lakes Elementary School was the site of an alleged attack by a far younger student last month. Police accused a 5-year-old of beating up a teacher after intervening in a fight between two other students, leaving the teacher with injuries that required hospitalization.
