Teacher attacked steps away from elementary school in incident witnessed by several students

MURPHY, Texas (KTVT) - A suspect is in custody after police say a Texas elementary school teacher was attacked and robbed outside her school.

Parent Amber Beayrd says a Boggess Elementary School teacher was attacked last Thursday morning just steps from the school building. Several students, including her fourth grade son, witnessed what happened.

“They were outside for the recess activities. He heard some screaming going on, and that’s when he looked and saw everything happening,” Beayrd said.

Arrest documents state Daniel Okungbowa approached the teacher outside the school, asking questions about her job. Police say when the woman walked away, the suspect ran up behind her and grabbed her in a full-body hold.

The two struggled on the ground as the teacher fought to get free. She bit Okungbowa’s hand.

Police say after the victim’s school radio went off, Okungbowa let go and left, taking the school radio and the victim’s phone with him. Police tracked the phone, found the suspect nearby and arrested him on charges of robbery and theft.

“It is terrifying that that did happen on school property and during the day, and it does show you that it can happen any time, so we need to be aware,” said Genevieve Petersen, the program director for Chamberlain Studios of Self-Defense in Dallas.

Petersen teaches self-defense classes and says situational awareness is paramount. If the situation does turn violent, she advises screaming and hitting whatever you can, if you’re on the ground. She says having the knowledge and confidence to act is critical when every second counts.

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