Brea teacher allegedly threatens to kill student, 12
An Orange County teacher has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill one of his seventh-grade students, police said Monday.
Brian Christopher Wilcher, 38, of Orange was taken into custody Friday after an altercation in his classroom at Brea Junior High School during which he allegedly told the 12-year-old boy “something to the effect that ‘next semester you’d better find another teacher because if you’re in my class I’m going to kill you,’ ” said Lt. Jack Conklin, a spokesman for the Brea Police Department.
Conklin said it was unclear what led to the exchange, but that “there was some allegation that the kid was being disruptive in the classroom.”
After class, Conklin said, the student -- whose name was not released -- reported the incident to a counselor, who notified administrators. Wilcher was arrested the next day and booked at Brea City Jail on suspicion of making criminal threats.
The offense is a felony. If convicted, Wilcher could go to prison.
An emergency protective order was issued, preventing Wilcher from being in the presence of the student for at least five days -- effectively keeping him out of the classroom. It was unclear whether the school had placed him on administrative leave.
Wilcher was released after posting a $50,000 bond, Conklin said.
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