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New Bedford student charged after throwing chair at teacher

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A New Bedford High student was expelled from school and charged in connection with throwing a chair at his teacher in late March.

Kemar Omar Roselus, 18, of New Bedford, allegedly threw a chair at his teacher, Joanne Moura, after she confiscated his phone. He has been charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, disturbing the school, and malicious destruction of personal property, officials say. He was also expelled from school.

According to Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin, the administration didn't find about the incident, or the video that documents it, until a week later.

"The video itself is quite appalling," Durkin said.

She went on to say that 2600 students enter the halls of New Bedford High School everyday and it is a safe environment for learning. She added that teachers are trained to de-escalate these types of tense situations with students.

Jenn Silvia has a 16-year-old at New Bedford High School and tells us this isn't the first time she's heard of aggressive behavior by a student towards a teacher, and she worries next time things could end much worse.

"They don't have defense cause what was she supposed to do? Go after the kid?" Silvia asked.

Durkin released the following statement Thursday:

"There is no place for this at New Bedford High School. One incident of this kind is too many. New Bedford Public Schools are committed to ensuring the kind of positive learning environment that students, parents, teachers, and administrators have a right to expect. The incident in question is under investigation by school officials in cooperation with the New Bedford Police Department and the student behavior will be addressed with the seriousness it deserves."

Roselus' stepmother said that he is originally from Jamaica. He is a track star and what she calls a good kid. She's divorced from his father, but raised him for six years. She says he went to her house crying the day this all happened and she's very worried about him.

The School Department's investigation remains ongoing.

Click here to see the incident unfolding.