Video shows OKC teacher allegedly putting student in chokehold: Family demands action

A family is demanding action after a video surfaced allegedly showing an Oklahoma City middle school teacher placing an eighth-grade student in a chokehold.

The incident, captured on cell phone video at Jefferson Middle School, reportedly took place last week following a fight between two students, according to one of the students.

Thirteen-year-old Xavier Ortiz, who says he was suspended for fighting, admitted he confronted another student for physically bullying his female cousin.

"This kid put his hands on my cousin. I confronted him about it," Ortiz said.

However, Ortiz’s father, Jose Ortiz, says the fight isn’t what angers him most.

"I want this guy, full nine yards," he said, referring to the teacher seen in the video.

In the footage, the teacher appears to hold Xavier in a chokehold, something the family calls excessive.

"He kept trying to pull up on my neck, and I was tapping his arm — he wouldn't let go. He was squeezing harder and harder," Xavier said. "I was feeling lightheaded. I didn't know what to do. I was feeling really numb. I couldn't feel my legs."

The family says that after the fight, the teacher tried to restrain Xavier, but when the teen pushed him away, that's when the teacher allegedly grabbed him by the neck.

In a statement, Oklahoma City Public Schools said:

“On March 6, Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) received a report of potential inappropriate conduct by a staff member at Jefferson Middle School. The District is now investigating these allegations. As is routine in these situations, the staff member has been placed on Administrative Leave pending the result of our investigation. Because this is a personnel issue, we cannot provide any further comment at this time.” 

"That's excessive force on a child," Jose Ortiz said. "You can clearly see in the video, he was right there waiting, waiting because he knew he was already in trouble."

The family is pushing for assault and battery charges to be filed and for the teacher to be fired. They have also retained an attorney and say they plan to pursue legal action.

Xavier says he no longer feels safe at school.

"I don't feel safe going back to school with him there," he said.

At this time, the teacher’s name has not been released as no criminal charges have been filed.