IPS: Teacher fired for punching student

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indianapolis Public Schools spokesperson said an ROTC teacher at Manuel High School punched at least one student multiple times Tuesday.

Ethan Hicks, 17, said he was looking at a trophy case just before noon on Tuesday when Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Johnson assaulted him.

"He shoved me out of the room into the hallway, slammed me up against the wall," said Hicks. "I didn't even know he was going to hit me. He just turned around and started hitting me."

Hicks said Col. Johnson went back to class after the incident. But Hicks reported it to school officials and police.

"I didn't know a teacher would do that. I was there to look at pictures and trophies," said Hicks.

Hicks' mother, Rachel Bolin of Indianapolis, is outraged over the incident.

"I think, 'Oh my gosh, I send my kid to this school everyday. Well that's just crazy' It's scary."

IPS Spokesperson Mary Louise Bewley said a second student was present at the time of the alleged attack. She said Col. Johnson has been fired.

Bewley said there was no reason why the alleged attack should have happened. Bewley said IPS police responded to the incident and a report was filed.