Pennsylvania Teacher Suspended As Authorities Investigate Alleged Shooting Comment To Students In Class

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS/AP) — Officials have suspended a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania while authorities investigate if the teacher told his class that he wished he could shoot a person to have quiet in his class. Harrisburg School District chief operating officer Chris Celmer posted a letter to parents and staff on Thursday saying the district is extremely concerned by "what appears to be highly inappropriate and inexcusable judgment" on the part of the seventh grade teacher at Camp Curtin Academy on Wednesday.

"We are extremely concerned by what appears to be highly inappropriate and inexcusable judgement on the part of this teacher in comments made to the class. We do not in any way condone any verbal threats toward any of our students. We immediately notified local police and other appropriate authorities, and the teacher involved was suspended pending the outcome of this investigation. To be clear, we will not tolerate threatening behavior by our staff," Celmer said in the letter.

In a recording posted online, a person identified as the teacher is heard saying he used to tell his students he wished he could shoot one person and that person would be the first who wouldn't stop talking. The person then said he's not allowed to do that.

The teacher's name was not released.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)