Seaside family sues over accidental classroom shooting
The family of a Seaside High School student filed a lawsuit against their son’s former teacher, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and the city of Sand City after an accidental shooting in class last year.
The family of Fermin Gonzales IV filed suit Tuesday in Monterey County Superior Court. The complaint listed damages for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional stress.
Gonzales suffered minor injuries after his administration of justice instructor, Dennis Alexander, accidentally discharged his handgun.
The incident happened at Seaside High School on March 13, 2018.
“[The teacher] accidentally discharged his firearm into the ceiling. Fragments from the bullet struck a student in the neck,” said Seaside Police Chief Abdul Pridgen.
The student’s mother told KION she and her husband took their son to a hospital to make sure no shrapnel was left in his neck. She said her son is fine but she is still upset because she says no one called a nurse or paramedics to check on the injured students.
Alexander was a reserve Sand City police officer and a Seaside City Council member. He was placed on administrative leave and ultimately resigned.
MPUSD released this statement to KION: Due to pending litigation, the Monterey Peninsula USD is unable to comment on this matter.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
