Watch CBS News

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Student Accused Of Attacking Teacher

PARKLAND (CBSMiami) - A Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher was reportedly attacked by a student on Monday.

Sharon Cutler, who teaches finance-related classes, was attacked by a freshman girl in her last class of the day.

Sharon Cutler pic
Sharon Cutler (Source: LinkedIn/Sharon Cutler)

A student's cell phone captured a video of what happened.

"The kid got up behind her and put her arm around her neck in a headlock," said student Oren Snyder who has seen the video.

"It showed the student with a forearm around the teacher's neck for some time until security stepped in," said student Tucker Jean.

According to the Broward district, "the School Resource Officer, security team and staff immediately responded to the incident involving a student and teacher."

The cellphone video also showed a 9th grader who tried to help Cutler but was struck as well.

"I thought it was crazy treating a teacher that way. I mean there was no reason to do something like that," said Snyder.

After school security intervened, the student was taken away in handcuffs.

"No serious injuries were reported. School leaders are taking this incident seriously and are cooperating with the District's Special Investigative Unit and law enforcement in their investigation," according to a statement from the Broward school district. "In addition, the student responsible will face appropriate school disciplinary consequences."

It's not clear what prompted this sudden assault on the 59-year-old teacher who has been at the school for 17 years. According to her LinkedIn account, Cutler is an Academy of Finance (NAF) Lead Teacher/DECA Advisor at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.

Students at the school are baffled by what happened.

"What would prompt someone to put a teacher in a headlock," said 11th grader Kylah Davis. "I am glad she is okay. She is a really nice teacher."

"I feel bad for her. This has to be scary for something like that to happen that you have no control over," said Gabriella Reis.

Cutler's husband, Ken Cutler, is a Parkland city commissioner. He said his wife is doing okay and she's a 'tough lady'.

Max Schachter, whose son Alex was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at the school, posted on Facebook that the attack was "absolutely unacceptable."

This is just horrible. I know Mrs. Sharon S Cutler. She taught both Ryan Schachter and Alex. She is a great teacher....

Posted by Max Schachter on Monday, November 1, 2021

The student involved in the attack has been suspended from school for 10 days with a recommendation that she be expelled.

During a hearing at Broward juvenile court, the teen was placed on house arrest until November 22nd and has another hearing on November 30th.

The state lost a bid to have her placed on an ankle monitor but she was ordered to stay away from the school, Cutler, and the student she allegedly struck.

CBS4's Peter D'Oench spoke with Giancarlo Mercury, a 10th grader who says he was in Curler's classroom and saw what happened.

He said, "We were in class doing our work and this girl was called 10 times by the teacher and was not answering." He said they had a disagreement.

He said, "She gets angry and out of nowhere she gets up and starts throwing stuff and banging on the desk and a computer and starts throwing stuff from a backpack."

New details about the incident were released by BSO in an arrest report. It said the teacher was hit "multiple times" in the head and face by the suspect with her hands and said the suspect bit the teacher's right pinkie finger."

The report also said the student who tried to help her was struck multiple times in the shoulder with a cell phone.

The teenage suspect has been charged with two counts of battery.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.