A Clayton County high school science teacher was arrested Wednesday for allegedly telling an unruly student he would "rip his eyeballs out" during a tirade days before school ended for the year.
Travis Corey Heckstall, 36, is charged with disorderly conduct and terroristic threats. Heckstall taught science at Mount Zion High School since August and resigned May 30, about a week after the alleged incident, said school system spokesman Charles White.
Heckstall, the son of state Rep. Joe Heckstall (D-East Point), made an initial court appearance Thursday, at which bond was set at $20,000.
After the hearing, the elder Heckstall spoke to reporters outside the courthouse. He said his son is remorseful for the outburst, and he did not take issue with the specific allegations or make excuses.
Police said Heckstall confronted a male student May 21 after the boy threatened and cursed the teacher and disrupted the class. During the alleged incident, which police said was videotaped by other students on cell phones, students said Heckstall suddenly "started acting crazy," telling the class to "shut the (expletive deleted) up."
Heckstall allegedly directed his anger toward the male juvenile student, telling him he would "rip his eyeballs out and (urinate) on the student, and kill your family," according to the police report. Heckstall then spat on the floor and began to apologize, police said.
Heckstall told police the juvenile had a history of disciplinary problems and that he feared for his safety all year.
The cell phones with the videotaped incident were confiscated by police.
White, the school system spokesman, had no additional information about Heckstall's past performance, citing privacy policies. White also had no details on where Heckstall worked prior to coming to Clayton County.
Teacher arrested for threatening to 'rip eyeballs out' of student
