FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Dillard High School students told Local 10 News Monday that they were shocked by the beating of one of their teachers at the hands of two of their peers.
“It was just unexpected,” junior Vincent Fortune said.
Fort Lauderdale police said 19-year-olds Jayvis McClover and Roddrick McQueen confronted the teacher around 2 p.m. Thursday and threatened him before launching the attack.
Police said the students struck the teacher, knocking him to the ground, where they continued to punch him as he tried to protect himself. They said school security eventually broke up the attack.
“It was crazy because they was just on him and everybody was just watching,” Fortune said.
According to an arrest report, the teacher suffered facial swelling, bruising, and reported back pain following the incident.
McClover and McQueen were told to stay away from the school and they are not allowed to have any contact with the teacher.
“I was amazed – like, it’s just crazy,” one student said.
According to the arrest report, the victim crawled into a fetal position, attempting to protect himself against the students.
McClover was issued a $15,000 bond while McQueen was ordered to be placed on house arrest with a GPS monitor.
“The violent attack on a Broward teacher by students is beyond disgraceful,” Florida Department of Education Board Member Daniel P. Foganholi Sr. said in a statement. “It’s a failure of respect, discipline, and accountability. No educator should fear for their safety while doing their job.”