Man charged with assaulting teacher at Portsmouth High

Police: Knife found in backpack, no students hurt

Posted 1/30/18

PORTSMOUTH — A man who was charged with assaulting a female teacher at Portsmouth High School Tuesday morning was carrying a large military-style knife in his backpack, police said.

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Man charged with assaulting teacher at Portsmouth High

Police: Knife found in backpack, no students hurt

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — A man who was charged with assaulting a female teacher at Portsmouth High School Tuesday morning was carrying a large military-style knife in his backpack, police said.

Marcus Schlip, 22, of 409 Turnpike Ave., was arrested shortly after Portsmouth Police responded to the PHS field house just after 9 a.m. for a report of an individual that had assaulted a school teacher, police said.

According to Portsmouth Police Detective Lt. Michael C. Arnold, Mr. Schlip had responded to the field house — often called “the new gym” — and demanded entry. He reportedly was referred to the main office by a 27-year-old female teacher, Lt. Arnold said in a prepared statement. 

“As Schlip was being denied entrance into the gym he punched the teacher in the face as she was holding the main door to the gym,” Lt. Arnold stated. “Schlip then pushed through the entrance and kicked the teacher multiple times.”

When officers arrived, they found Mr. Schlip sitting in the main office of the school and he was taken into custody.

“A search of Schlip’s person revealed a large military style knife that was in his backpack,” Lt. Arnold said.

Mr. Schlip is a former PHS student, but his motive for the attack is unknown at this time, he said.

“There were no students involved or assaulted at the time of this incident. Schlip has been charged with assault on schoolteachers, school officials or other school department employees, possession of a knife in a commission of a crime and disturbance of public assemblies generally,” Lt. Arnold said.

The teacher was attended to by medical personnel and transferred to a local hospital for evaluation of her injuries, he said.

Parents notified

The School Department notified parents of the incident by e-mail shortly after 10 a.m. on Tuesday. 

The message stated: “At approximately 9:05 this morning, an intruder attempted to enter the new gymnasium. The teacher intercepted the intruder and directed him to the main office. 

“The teacher directed the students to call 911 and the students were placed into a lockdown. In this process the teacher was assaulted. The suspect was apprehended by the police and taken into custody. No students were physically hurt in this incident.

“The police and our student resource officer secured the building. The building is safe for all our students and staff. We will be providing ongoing counseling and support for students and staff.” 

Portsmouth Police Department, Portsmouth High School

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