Teacher, 63, viciously attacked by teen at Detroit high school — then students turn the tables on attacker

A Detroit teen launched a vicious attack on a 63-year-old teacher at Cody High School after she reported him for having drugs, according to multiple published reports.

The teacher was hospitalized but is in stable condition and is expected to fully recover, WKBJ-TV reported.

How did this happen?

The attack unfolded as the suspect walked into a math classroom Thursday around 10:30 a.m. and began punching the substitute teacher, witnesses told the TV station.

"I was doing my work and I just looked up and she was on the floor shaking and stuff," said student Keiontay Nelson. "Like her head was messed up."

Student Brandon Antisdel said he couldn't believe the suspect "ran up on the old lady hit her, pushed her on the ground and hit her again. That's not something anybody should do, especially to an old lady."

Antisdel and two other students chased after the suspect as he ran out of the classroom.

"My friend Keiontay and my man John, we all felt offended by it because that's somebody's grandmother," Antisdel said. "So he ran out and we chased him down."

Why did he attack her?

Detroit Public Schools Community District says the student went after the teacher because she told administrators he brought drugs to school.

On Friday, the suspect's father told WXYZ-TV his son was upset that the teacher told administrators he had marijuana. The father said he asked his son why he attacked her, he said because the teacher "snitched" on him.

The teacher called the dad to say his son "smelled like marijuana and was being disrespectful," according to WXYZ.

The dad said doesn't condone his son's behavior, and he's glad the teacher reported him.

"She was doing her job," the teen's father told the TV station. "Her job is to protect the children."

His son is currently in the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility in downtown Detroit on multiple charges, including aggravated assault.

A security guard sustained minor injuries when he joined other school workers in separating the students, the report states. The aftermath of the attack was captured on a cell phone video.