An 18-year-old student at a Manhattan high school has been arrested for allegedly punching his principal multiple times in the face after he was asked to take off his headphones, authorities say.
According to the Post, the fracas began when Matthew Tossman, principal at Manhattan Early College School for Advertising, which is inside Murry Bergtraum High School on Pearl Street, encountered Luis Penzo in the hallway, his headphones blasting, early Monday afternoon.
Tossman asked Penzo to remove the headphones. At some point, the headphones ended up on the ground and the principal went to pick them up. Then he was attacked.
The principal was treated at a hospital for swelling and lacerations around the eyes, the Post reported.
The Department of Education said in a statement the NYPD "immediately responded to a concerning incident" at the school. Education officials went on to say the safety of students and staff is the top priority, and that its investigation into Monday's altercation is ongoing.
Police say Penzo has two prior arrests. One is for assault; he allegedly punched someone after the two got into a car accident. The other case is sealed.
