When Matthew Tossman, principal of the Manhattan Early College School for Advertising, had asked student Luis Penzo to turn down his blaring headphones in the hallway, he probably didn’t figure he’d end up in the hospital as a result.
But that’s just what happened: After Penzo refused Tossman’s request, he followed it up with a punch — and continued beating on the administrator, ultimately sending him to the hospital.
The New York Post reports Tossman suffered “swelling and lacerations around both of [his] eyes.” He was released later that day.
Penzo was arraigned on Tuesday in Manhattan Criminal Court on second degree assault charges and held on $5,000 bail.
Tossman’s wife refused to comment at their home and referred questions to the Department of Education.
The DOE released a statement that said the NYPD “immediately responded to a concerning incident” that took place at the school.
“The safety and security of students and staff is our top priority, and we are looking into it,” the statement continued.
Murry Bergtraum High School, which sits adjacent to One Police Plaza, was the site of a massive brawl involving dozens of students in 2012.
Penzo, who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was involved in a separate donnybrook just last month when he crashed his car into another vehicle in Williamsburg, then repeatedly punched the other driver, according to sources.
The Associated Press notes Principal Tossman had attempted to remove Penzo’s headphones after his request to turn the volume down was ignored.
Penzo’s lawyer claims the student “acted out” because his mother died — last year.
Read the full Post and AP articles.
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