TAMPA, Fla. — A high school teacher out of Tampa was arrested after being accused of child abuse and gun possession, a news release from the Tampa Police Department explains.
Michael Bradford, 55, was arrested Friday afternoon at the school he works at – Chamberlain High School. He's a teacher there along with being ROTC Captain.
According to police, a 16-year-old student reported that Bradford got upset with him when he refused to participate in personal training.
Witnesses and the teen said the 55-year-old was standing over him while in a plank position before smacking him on the butt, the agency explains. Bradford then reportedly said, "Here comes the T-Bag."
When the teen stood up, the teacher grabbed him by the neck, police said in the release.
The 16-year-old then tried to use his phone to call a parent but Bradford reportedly grabbed the phone and threw it toward a truck in the parking lot.
Police say the student wasn't hurt during the incident and employees immediately notified the school resource officer.
"Bradford was escorted to his office to gather personal items, where officers recovered a Colt .45 caliber handgun and a loaded magazine inside an office cabinet," the agency explains.
The 55-year-old was arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail. He's facing charges of child abuse and possession of a firearm on school property.