Student Beats Principal Up After Being Asked to Remove His Headphones: Police

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — The principal at Manhattan Early College School for Advertising was beaten by a student so badly he had to be taken to the hospital after he asked him to remove his headphones, police said.

Luis Penzo, 18, was arrested on Monday afternoon for attacking principal Matthew Tossman at the school housed inside Murry Bergtraum High School, police said. The complex is located just across the street from NYPD Headquarters at 1 Police Plaza.

According to police, Penzo was in the hallway at 12:42 p.m., listening to loud music on his headphones, when Tossman, 36, approached the student and told him to remove them. Penzo at first refused, but then bent down and placed the headphones on the floor, police said. When Tossman leaned over to pick them up, Penzo punched the principal in the face and continued punching him as he fell to the ground, police said.

Tossman was taken to Lower Manhattan Hospital with swelling around his eyes and cuts to his face, police said.

"The NYPD immediately responded to a concerning incident that took place at Manhattan Early College School For Advertising," Department of Education spokesperson Toya Holness said. "The safety and security of students and staff is our top priority, and we are looking into it."

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