Officials: Coach charged with assault after incident with student

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A teacher and coach for West Rowan High School was charged with assault after an incident involving a 15-year-old student, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said the student attempted to take the school-issued laptop from the classroom of Brian Linville.

Linville stood in front of the student and told him to get back to his seat, officials said. The student pushed Linville in the chest and Linville picked up the student and pushed the student into a metal cabinet. The student was then thrown to the floor, officials said.

Linville and the student then reported the incident to school authorities.

Another student recorded the incident on a cellphone.

Linville was charged with simple assault, and also the 15-year-old student involved was charged as a juvenile for disorderly conduct.

Linville will be in court on May 4.

Rowan-Salisbury School released the following statement:

"There was a serious incident that happened yesterday at WRHS involving a student and teacher. Initially the teacher was suspended with pay but after further investigations he was transitioned to suspension without pay.

"The district is continuing to work with law enforcement as well as continuing to conduct our own internal investigation.

"We take these situations very serious. We regret that this occurred. Our focus remains to be providing a safe environment for teaching and learning for all our students and staff."

Linville has been employed with the Rowan-Salisbury Schools since August 2009.

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