Brooklyn Student Punches Teacher After Learning He Will Be Suspended, Police Say

EAST NEW YORK — A high school student punched a teacher in the face when he found out he was about to be suspended, according to police and reports.

Darren McKenzie, 18, curled his hand into a fist and slugged the 63-year-old teacher inside Maxwell Career and Technical Education High School at 145 Pennsylvania Ave. around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, police said.

McKenzie was responding to news that he would be suspended, the Daily News reported.

McKenzie fled, but was later arrested and charged with assault, harassment, and menacing, court records show.

His victim was rushed to Brookdale Hospital and treated for a gash near his left eye, according to police.

This is not McKenzie’s first visit to court — he was charged with criminal possession of marijuana in 2015 and has two other sealed arrests on his record, police said.

Department of Education spokeswoman Toya Holness said the agency would provide the school with counseling.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of students and staff,” said Holness in a statement. “We are looking into this troubling incident and will ensure it is swiftly addressed.”

Image via Google Maps/Oct. 2014