Gulfport Police arrested Boca Ciega High English teacher John Robert Able Monday morning at the school board’s Walter Pownall headquarters in Largo. Abel allegedly struck a student Friday afternoon.
At the time of the incident the school was on lockdown because the school received a tip that a student had a gun,
Gulfport police say. Although the police did not find a gun – and the student in question cooperated fully with police and administration, during the lockdown Able chastised the student for telling another student to “Shut the f*** up.” Able allegedly told the student, "You shut the f*** up" and smacked the student on the back of the head.
School Resource Officer Jason Motte found out about the incident and investigated. Monday morning Gulfport police met Able at the school board building in Largo, arrested him, and took him to jail.
The school board placed Able on administrative leave Monday. The school board says they have reassigned Able to a worksite with no student contact while on paid administrative leave.
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