A Spanish teacher from Lawrence Intermediate School in Mercer County is accused of threatening his students, allegedly saying "Don't make me bring my gun in, cause I will shoot your kneecaps off."
NBC10 went to the home of Gaulberto Gonzales,59, in Lawrence Township, but he didn't want to talk about the accusations. "I'm sorry, I can not discuss it, I'm sorry. Talk to my lawyer," said Gonzales.
NBC10 spoke with his attorney Arnold Mellk, who says Gonzales doesn't own a gun and has never been in trouble before. Mellk says that Gonzales is charged with a petty disorderly persons offense.
According to police, the incident happened last Tuesday. NBC10 got a look at the police report, which shows that detectives talked with two witnesses.
The Lawrence Township School District would only confirm it is conducting its own investigation.
"The safety of the students has been and will always continue to be our top priority," said Andrew Zuckerman, of the Lawrence Township School District, who wouldn't comment on specifics of the investigation.
Some parents question whether or not this is all a misunderstanding.
"My son has said he'll kid around and say 'I'll shoot your kneecaps off,' but jokingly, and it's sort of to get kids of that ages attention if they are messing around. I don't think he meant it at all," said Michele Sengstack.
Sengstack's son is one of Gonzales' students. "I support looking into it a little bit further, you know, and maybe interviewing the kids in the classroom and seeing their take on it," said Sengstack.
