Teacher accidentally fires gun during safety lecture, injuring three students, and school doesn’t report it: Police

Three high school students in California were reportedly injured Tuesday when a teacher—who also serves as a reserve police officer—accidentally fired a gun inside the classroom as he lectured about public safety.

The Californian reported that Dennis Alexander unintentionally fired a shot during his Administration of Justice class Tuesday afternoon. Police said Seaside High School teacher was pointing the gun at a ceiling when it fired.

 According to NBC News, three students were injured by ceiling fragments. However, the father of one the injured students told NBC affiliate KSBW that their 17-year-old son suffered a minor neck injury by bullet fragments.

“He’s shaken up but he’s going to be OK,” Fermin Gonzales told the station. “I’m just pretty upset that no one told us anything and we had to call the police ourselves to report it.”

The teen’s father alleged that Alexander had told students that he wanted to ensure the gun wasn’t loaded moments before it went off. He went on to claim that school officials didn’t check for injuries and that the school went on as if nothing happened.

In addition to being a teacher and a reserve officer for Sand City police, Alexander is also a Seaside city councilman.

Police and school officials are investigating whether Alexander was legally allowed to have a gun on school grounds. Seaside police chief Abdul Pridgen told The Californian that guns are prohibited on campus but there are exceptions for law enforcement.

The school district placed Alexander on administrative leave as they conduct their investigation. KSBW reported that Sand City police have also placed Alexander on leave. It’s not immediately known whether he’s being paid while on leave.

 

[Featured Image:  Dennis Alexander/KSBW]