An 8 years old pupil identified as Quianna has shot dead her 56-year-old gymnastics teacher, Jim Turner.
Local reports said that the shocking incident occurred at Ford Elementary School in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
It was gathered that the girl allegedly took her father’s firearm to school and fatally shot the teacher.
According to the reports, Turner had called Quianna into his office during gym class when, moments later, two gunshots echoed through the hallways, sending students scrambling in panic.
School security personnel hurried to the scene, where they found Turner deceased, suffering from gunshot wounds to his thigh and chest.
The police arrived shortly after and took Quianna into custody.
At the station, she revealed that Turner had been inappropriately touching her and had threatened her life if she reported the abuse.
Fearing for her safety, Quianna had retrieved her father’s gun from beneath a mattress and brought it to school for protection.
Security footage confirmed Quianna’s account, showing Turner frequently escorting her to his office.
Quianna’s parents are expected to face charges in connection with Turner’s death.
The community is however deeply divided over the incident.
Some residents are skeptical of Quianna’s claims, including teacher Lorraine Jacobs, who witnessed the aftermath.
“I’ve known Jim for years. He was not that kind of man,” she stated.
Conversely, some community members voiced their support for Quianna.
“If he was hurting her, she did what she had to do to protect herself,” remarked one supporter.
