Outrage as Indiana school refuses to press charges against 280-lb teen who beat teacher, 74, with laptop

INDIANA, UNITED STATES: Social media erupted with anger over reports of an Indiana teacher named Rob Gooding being assaulted by a high school student who weighed 280 lbs and stood at 6 feet tall.

The teacher asserted that the student used a Chromebook laptop to attack him.

The news stirred widespread criticism from social media users regarding the student's conduct toward the 74-year-old teacher.

According to the New York Post, Gooding further stated that the school authorities declined to pursue the student's arrest, intensifying the public outcry.

Rob Gooding reveals school administration didn't allow him to press charges

According to the New York Post, Gooding reported that he suffered a severe black eye from a teenager's attack, and fellow teachers prevented his arrest.

Gooding recounted his experience to News 8, stating that he was acting as a substitute at Perry Meridian High School on February 1 during a business class when a disruptive student approached him. Describing the student as over 6 feet tall, Gooding claimed he raised his Chromebook, threatening to strike him with it.

“I saw him come up, and he said, ‘I’ve had it,’ and he came down and I blocked the Chromebook. That’s where the hole was. This manchild was 6-feet-2, 280 pounds," Gooding told News 8.

The New York Post reported that the student then pushed Gooding to the ground in front of shocked students and proceeded to punch him repeatedly. "He hovered over me and with his left hand whammed me," reported Gooding.

Paramedics arrived at the scene, finding Gooding with a swollen knot on his forehead and a deep black eye. Gooding informed a school resource officer that he wanted the assailant arrested and prosecuted. However, the officer stated that school administrators had instructed against it.

“Then he said to me, ‘We have been instructed by the higher-ups, which is the district, not to handcuff, or arrest the kid,’ and I said, ‘What?’ and he said, ‘Yes, that came from the higher-ups,’" Gooding said, as per reports.

The New York Post mentioned that school officials declined to comment on any disciplinary actions taken against the student. The Perry Township School District issued a statement saying, “Perry Police responded to the incident quickly. A police report was forwarded to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors will then make a criminal charge decision.”

Despite this, weeks later, Gooding claimed to the New York Post that he had not been contacted by anyone regarding the case. Referring to the student who attacked him, he emphasized, “He has to be accountable for his actions and that’s what I feel."

Internet stands united in demand for student's arrest

A user said, "That’s when you call 911 and demand to press charges, and contact the local media and get everyone’s attention. This child is larger than most adults, he still would and should go to a juvenile detention center because he is obviously a danger to everyone around him."

Another wrote, "What are the names of the “higher-ups” in the school? They all need to be removed from their positions, immediately. We’re truly living in a 🤡🌎."

Someone else commented, "He does NOT need the school's permission to press charges against that student! The student needs to be removed from that school for the safety of teachers and the other students."

A user pointed out, "Children are being taught there’s no consequences for their actions and that’s why this continues to happen. It’s only going to get worse as our country becomes more lawless and our borders get more invaded. The fabric of society is shredding."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.