LAWRENCE: Teacher charged after gun threat in class

A Lawrence Intermediate School Spanish teacher who allegedly threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot his students has been charged with harassment, according to police Lt. Mark Ubry.

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   A Lawrence Intermediate School Spanish teacher who allegedly threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot his students has been charged with harassment, according to police Lt. Mark Ubry.
   Gualberto Gonzalez, 59, allegedly made the threat to shoot the students in the kneecap Oct. 22, after some disruptions in the classroom, Lt. Ubry said. The teacher allegedly said, “Don’t make me bring my gun in because I will shoot your kneecaps off,” he said.
   Several students became alarmed and told their parents, Lt. Ubry said. The parents called the Lawrence Township public school district, and the Police Department was informed of the incident.
   Police investigated the incident, which resulted in the harassment charge against Mr. Gonzalez. Police also found that Mr. Gonzalez did not have a gun and that there was no intention to carry out the threat, Lt. Ubry said.
   Mr. Gonzalez has worked for the Lawrence Township public school district since 2005. He taught Spanish at Lawrence High School and was transferred to teach at Lawrence Intermediate School, which handles students in grades 4-6.
   Business Administrator Thomas Eldridge said Mr. Gonzalez is still employed by the school district, but that he is “not physically on the property.” A substitute teacher is handling his classes, Mr. Eldridge said.
   The school district is conducting its own investigation, Mr. Eldridge said.