Classes at the school were canceled Friday after the attack the previous day sent a 63-year-old teacher to the hospital. Police have not identified a suspect.
A Bothell High School teacher was struck from behind with an object and had a zip tie put around his neck during an attack in the school’s wood shop Thursday afternoon, Bothell police say.
Police have not identified a suspect in the attack on Cal Pygott, 63.
A fellow teacher found him lying on the ground outside the door of the wood shop, with blunt-force trauma; she was able to remove the zip tie.
“She did an amazing job helping the teacher by removing that and calling police,” said Sgt. Ken Seuberlich during a Friday morning news conference.
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At some point, Pygott lost consciousness after the attack, but it’s not clear whether he was alert when the other teacher arrived to help at about 4:20 p.m.
Medics took Pygott to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg said he was treated for his injuries and released Thursday night.
The school was closed Friday, though teachers and staff members were seen arriving at the building for a staff conference.
“Unreal,” said one woman, shaking her head as she walked past the wood-shop building and toward the school entrance.
The closed wood shop was lined with police tape Friday morning. Bothell Police Department detectives are reviewing security-video footage that may help identify a suspect, Seuberlich said.
Bothell police will provide “additional resources” to the school to ensure the safety of staff, Seuberlich said.
On Thursday, authorities temporarily locked down the school at 9130 N.E. 180th St., but could not find the assailant.
Extracurricular activities were halted during the lockdown, which ended about 7 p.m., said Sgt. Cedric Collins.
A student, who requested anonymity, said the teacher is well liked.
“Everyone loves him,” she said. ”I have never felt threatened at Bothell High School before,” though the fact that no arrests have been made “is a little concerning.”
Parents and students took to social media Thursday night with expressions of sympathy and support for the teacher and staff.
The Seattle Times profiled Pygott and his Construction Academy nine years ago.