A 33-year-old teacher was shot in the hand while preparing his classroom for the first day of school at MS 391 in the Bronx on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred just before noon when a bullet, likely fired from a distance, passed through the window of a sixth-floor classroom, grazing the teacher’s right palm.

The teacher, who initially thought a socket had popped, was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, treated, and released. New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks assured the public during a town hall meeting with Eyewitness News that the teacher is expected to make a full recovery, saying, “He’s home, thank God. It could have been a lot worse, but he is going to be just fine.”

At the time of the shooting, no students were in the classroom, as school was set to start the following day. NYPD Deputy Chief Keiyon Ramsey stated, “This bullet was not fired from inside the school and, at this point in the investigation, we believe it was fired from a long distance away. The school was not targeted.” Police conducted a thorough search of the apartment complex across the street, believed to be the origin of the shot.

The Department of Education condemned the act of violence, calling it “both upsetting and reprehensible.” In response, additional school safety agents and police officers will be deployed to ensure the safety of students and parents.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.