Brooklyn Teacher Arrested After Violent Classroom Confrontation Sends Student to Hospital

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the Brooklyn educational community, a 27-year-old teacher at International High School at Lafayette was arrested Tuesday after allegedly assaulting a student in what authorities are describing as a violent classroom confrontation.

Gary Zeng, a teacher at the institution, is facing multiple serious charges after allegedly placing a 15-year-old student in a headlock during school hours. The incident, which occurred around 12:30 p.m., resulted in the student being transported to Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital with neck injuries.

The confrontation

According to police sources familiar with the investigation, the altercation began when the student entered Zeng’s classroom without authorization. Investigators say what followed escalated far beyond typical classroom discipline protocols.

Criminal charges

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has filed multiple charges against Zeng, including:

• Second-degree strangulation
• Criminal obstruction of breathing
• Endangering the welfare of a child
• Third-degree assault

Current status

The student, whose identity is being withheld due to their age, is currently in stable condition at Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital. Medical staff continue to monitor the injuries sustained to their neck during the altercation.

Despite multiple requests for comment, the Department of Education has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The case has raised serious concerns about student safety and disciplinary procedures within Brooklyn’s public school system.