(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA A popular Germantown High School teacher suffered a broken neck Friday during a scuffle with students over a prohibited electronic device.
The alleged incident happened just before noon after math teacher Frank Burd confiscated an iPod from a 11th grade member of his class.
Following class, authorities said the 17-year-old student and a 15-year-old freshman then assaulted the teacher in the hallway, knocking him to the ground.
"One student pushed the teacher, the teacher fell over, he suffered a gash on his face and broke two bones in his neck," said Paul Vallas, School District of Philadelphia CEO.
Authorities said the 60-year-old teacher was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition. He suffered two broken vertebrae in his neck and cuts to his face.
"This is really a very heinous act and it was very deliberate, it wasn't accidental, it was a premeditated act," said Vallas.
Police said the students, who have been in trouble in the past, fled the scene. Both juveniles were arrested several hours later.
Vallas went on to say both students face serious criminal charges and will be expelled. Vallas also said the two students involved in the attack were in the process of being expelled from the school because of disciplinary reasons.
The attack was captured on tape via surveillance cameras in the hallway; however, police said they do not intend to release the video to the media.
The two teens have been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. So far, the two are being charged as juveniles but that could change depending upon a decision by the District Attorney.
The alleged incident happened just before noon after math teacher Frank Burd confiscated an iPod from a 11th grade member of his class.
Following class, authorities said the 17-year-old student and a 15-year-old freshman then assaulted the teacher in the hallway, knocking him to the ground.
"One student pushed the teacher, the teacher fell over, he suffered a gash on his face and broke two bones in his neck," said Paul Vallas, School District of Philadelphia CEO.
Authorities said the 60-year-old teacher was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition. He suffered two broken vertebrae in his neck and cuts to his face.
"This is really a very heinous act and it was very deliberate, it wasn't accidental, it was a premeditated act," said Vallas.
Police said the students, who have been in trouble in the past, fled the scene. Both juveniles were arrested several hours later.
Vallas went on to say both students face serious criminal charges and will be expelled. Vallas also said the two students involved in the attack were in the process of being expelled from the school because of disciplinary reasons.
The attack was captured on tape via surveillance cameras in the hallway; however, police said they do not intend to release the video to the media.
The two teens have been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. So far, the two are being charged as juveniles but that could change depending upon a decision by the District Attorney.
