A New York City teacher was struck by a stray bullet on the eve of the first day of school while setting up his classroom, police said.
The bullet flew through the window of the sixth-floor classroom, striking the 33-year-old teacher in his right hand, police said.
The incident occurred shortly before noon Wednesday at a middle school in the Bronx borough, according to the NYC Department of Education.
The bullet is believed to have been fired from an elevated surface a long distance from the school, M.S. 391, police said.
“The school was not targeted,” Deputy Chief Keiyon Ramsey with the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Bronx told reporters during a news briefing Wednesday.
In this screen grab from Google Maps Street View, M.S. 391 is shown in the Bronx borough of New York.
Google Maps Street View
The teacher suffered a graze wound to the palm of his right hand, Ramsey said. He was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and has since been released.
One fired bullet was recovered from the classroom and is being processed, Ramsey said.
Police are working to determine where the bullet came from and who fired it, according to Deputy Chief Louis Deceglie with the NYPD’s Detective Bureau Bronx Commanding Officer.
“We are currently searching all rooftops nearby, looking for both ballistic evidence and video evidence,” Deceglie told reporters during Wednesday’s briefing.
No students were in the classroom at the time of the shooting, as school does not start until Thursday. Additionally, no students were around the school at the time, Ramsey said.
“This egregious display of violence is both upsetting and reprehensible,” the DOE said in a statement. “NYPD immediately responded to the scene where one educator sustained non-life-threatening injuries. We will provide support additional support to this school community.”
There will be additional school safety agents and police officers at the middle school for the first day of school on Thursday “out of an abundance of caution,” Ramsey said.
In a shocking incident that has left the community in disbelief, a New York City teacher was shot in the hand by a stray bullet that entered her classroom through a window. The incident occurred at a public school in the Bronx, where the teacher was conducting a lesson with her students when the bullet suddenly pierced through the glass and struck her.
According to police reports, the bullet was fired from outside the school building and was not intended for the teacher or any of the students. It appears to be a random act of violence that has put the safety of both teachers and students at risk.
The teacher, whose name has not been released to the public, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Thankfully, her injuries are not life-threatening and she is expected to make a full recovery. However, the emotional trauma of being shot in a place where she should feel safe will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on her.
This incident has once again brought to light the issue of gun violence in our communities and the need for stricter gun control measures. It is unacceptable that innocent individuals, such as teachers and students, are being put in harm’s way simply by going about their daily lives.
The New York City Police Department is currently investigating the shooting and is urging anyone with information to come forward. They are also increasing patrols in the area to ensure the safety of all residents.
In response to this tragic event, the school district has implemented additional security measures to prevent any further incidents from occurring. They are also providing counseling services for both the teacher and her students to help them cope with the aftermath of the shooting.
As we await further developments in this case, it is important for us as a community to come together and support one another during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the injured teacher and her students, and we hope for a swift resolution to this senseless act of violence.
