Wash. Teacher Nearly Killed in Brutal Classroom Assault
Police say the victim could have died if a fellow teacher hadn’t discovered him so quickly.
A high school wood shop teacher in Washington is recovering after he was the victim of a brutal after-school attack in his classroom May 19.
Local police are reviewing surveillance footage at Bothell High School in the Seattle area and canvassing the neighborhood in an attempt to identify the attacker, reports q13fox.com.
The victim, 63-year-old Calvin Pygott, was struck in the back of the head with a blunt object before the attacker zip tied his neck and left the room. A fellow teacher found Pygott bleeding from the head and losing consciousness minutes later. Pygott was taken to Harborview Medical Center and family members say he is expected to recover.
Bothell Police Sgt. Ken Seuberlich says Pygott could have died if he was not discovered so quickly.
“Time is of the essence in those types of situations,” Seuberlich says. “I’m very happy she [the other employee] was around.”
The Northshore School District cancelled classes the following day as police continued to investigate the crime scene. Detectives wrapped up their investigation around 8 p.m. May 20.
The high school, which enrolls approximately 1,700 students, will have increased security measures in place this week and is offering counseling services to students.
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