TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) — A student has been charged as an adult after he assaulted a teacher at Loch Raven High School Tuesday.

Geronimo Pacer Harding Jr., 18, was charged with first-degree felony assault. He faces three additional charges.

If convicted, Harding faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

According to officials, the teacher was sitting in his chair when Harding approached him after class.

Officials said that he approached the teacher to discuss an incident from the previous day.

The teacher reported he told Harding that he would be glad to discuss the interaction, in an effort to get to know him and help him succeed in school.

Harding then asked the teacher who he had spoken to regarding their interaction.

The teacher reportedly told Harding that he had spoken to staff, students and the school resource officer.

Update: student who punched teacher at Loch Raven HS yesterday has been charged @wjz pic.twitter.com/ppUrTaldo0 — Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 30, 2019

When Harding heard the names of some of the students, he suddenly attacked the teacher.

The teacher said that he was punched in excess of six to eight times before being able to grab hold of Harding.

He also said that he pushed his thumb into Harding’s eye in self-defense.

The school resource officer wrote in his report that, “Harding appeared highly agitated and was breathing heavily and shaking.”

The Loch Raven HS student has been charged as an adult with assault and other charges. Police say he punched a teacher; the student just turned 18 @wjz pic.twitter.com/nUm0CTnAWb — Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 30, 2019

Harding’s scheduled appearance before a judge in Baltimore County District Court was postponed Wednesday.

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