UPDATE: 911 tape released in Goochland school attack
GOOCHLAND, Va. (WTVR) -- The Goochland County Sheriff's Office said a teacher was viciously beaten and accosted by her ex-boyfriend outside a school Wednesday morning.
Goochland County Sheriff Jim Agnew said the attack happened in the Goochland Middle School parking lot around 7 a.m. before any students arrived.
Agnew told CBS 6 senior reporter Wayne Covil that 26-year-old Uriah Kamal Harris spotted his ex-girlfriend walking in the parking lot. That's when Harris bolted from his car, tossed the victim to the ground and severely and viciously beat the woman in the head, according to the sheriff.
As the attack was happening, Agnew said a teacher and his wife were pulling into the parking. The couple saw what was happening and jumped out of their car to stop the attack.
Agnew said he is convinced the pair saved the victim's life.
"For a good 15-20 seconds, they pulled him off, tried to convince him to stop -- and thankfully he did," Agnew said.
The teacher was taken to VCU Medical Center with what Agnew described as serious injuries.
Agnew also admitted the victim had a protective order from Henrico, which had not yet been served, which prohibited him from having contact. However, Agnew said Harris knew about the order.
After the attack, Agnew said Harris drove off and headed for a friend's house in the western part of the county. That friend called the sheriff's office about an hour later and worked out a way for the suspect to turn himself in.
The sheriff said Harris, of the 2900 block of Bywater Drive in Henrico, is facing two felony charges:Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Assault and Battery upon a person protected by a protective order. He is also facing charges for bringing a knife on school property and driving after his license had been revoked.
"Not only did you have the two citizens that helped the teacher who was being beaten, you had another citizen, who helped to turn him in before anyone else got hurt, so I think it's a real testament to these citizens out here."
Goochland Public Schools Acting Superintendent Dr. Peter Gretz said the teacher has been at the middle school for four years. Gretz also said she is a coach at the middle school.
To read the complete letter issued by Dr. Gretz, that outlines the incident and response measures, click here: Letter from Goochland Superintendent (PDF)
