Teacher Fires Toy Gun At President Trump Image, Yells 'Die'
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A Dallas ISD teacher is being investigated after video surfaced of her shooting a toy gun at an image of the president in front of her class.
A video of W.H. Adamson High School teacher Payal Modi surfaced on social media following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
In the video featured on YouTube, a video image of President Trump is shown on a screen, possibly during the actual inauguration on January 20. The teacher is holding a blue squirt gun and points it at the image of Trump. While repeatedly squeezing the trigger, she is heard yelling, "Die!"
According to DISD, the teacher was placed on administrative leave and the district has opened an investigation. "This is a personnel matter and, as such, we can not comment" a statement from a district representative said.
While the Instagram account is now private, others have posted the video on YouTube.
Many people on social media have expressed outrage at the video.
CBS11 reached out to Payal Modi, but she did not return calls, and no one answered the door at a Collin County address associated with her.
CBS11 has also contacted the Secret Service to find out how they are handling the case.
We'll publish details here as we receive more information.
Threats of violence towards the current President have been in the news in recent days.
Last week, singer Madonna landed in controversy after her comments made at a demonstration in Washington DC. "Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House," she said. "But I know that this won't change anything. We cannot fall into despair." Instead, she called for a "revolution of love."
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Madonna "ought to be arrested" for those remarks.
In a statement Sunday on Instagram, Madonna said she was trying to express there are two ways to respond to Donald Trump's election: with hope or with outrage. She said she hopes to effect change "with love."
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