Dominican Teacher Kills Student, Self
The Associated Press
Wednesday, June 6, 2007; 10:04 PM
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- A gym teacher opened fire at a school in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, killing one student and wounding another before using the gun to take his own life.
Manuel Torres, 27, killed 18-year-old Jessica Rodriguez by shooting her in the back as she tried to run from him, education department spokesman Luis Garcia said.
The teacher had told people at the school in the rural town of Los Jobos, 145 miles northwest of Santo Domingo, that he was infatuated with the girl but she had rejected his advances, Garcia said.
The other student, Henry Torres, was shot as he came running after hearing the girl's screams. The teacher then turned the gun on himself, Garcia said.
While gun violence at schools in the United States is a serious problem, it is rare in the Dominican Republic.
The wounded student was hospitalized in serious condition with gunshot wounds to his stomach and right shoulder, El Nacional newspaper reported. It was not clear if he was related to the teacher, who also coached the school's softball team.
Classes were immediately canceled after the shooting, Garcia said.
Rodriguez was an exemplary student who had been recognized for her high grades, he said.
