A teacher is recovering after he was beaten by three teens at a Philadelphia high school Monday morning, according to investigators.
The attack occurred at George Washington High School on Bustleton Avenue, police said. The teacher, 41-year-old Brian Swift, was inside his classroom shortly after 10 a.m. when three teen boys arrived at the door. After one of the teens entered the room, Swift closed the door and locked it so that the other two teens couldn't get in, according to police.
The teen that went inside then approached a female student, asked her where his phone was and checked through her book bag, investigators said. Swift then told the teen he was calling police and went to use the classroom security phone. The teen then allegedly ran towards Swift and pulled the phone from his hand leading to a struggle between the two.
Police say the teen then punched Swift in the face several times. The other two teens then managed to enter the classroom, according to investigators. The teens allegedly grabbed Swift, pushed him and held him while the first teen continued to punch him. The teens then fled but were stopped by school security and taken to the school police office, investigators said.
Swift identified two of the three teens who attacked him, police said. Swift was then taken to Aria-Torresdale Hospital. Swift told NBC10 Monday night he suffered a swollen jaw and bruised ribs.
Two of the three teens, ages 16 and 17, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy and disorderly conduct.
Despite the incident and his injuries, Swift said he will continue to teach at George Washington. He also claimed things are getting better at the high school.
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"They're enforcing stricter rules about kids getting to class on time," he said. "They're doing hall sweeps and really making sure things start to change. And it shows."
Officials say a security plan for the school has been devised. The Philadelphia School District also hired a climate manager who plans on enforcing new rules.
