NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – A North Miami man accused of shooting a 16-year-old boy is a teacher at an elementary school.
Frantz Noel, 47, is a teacher at Van E. Blanton Elementary School, Miami-Dade County Public Schools spokeswoman Daisy Gonzalez-Diego confirmed Thursday in an email to Local 10 News.
Noel was arrested late Wednesday on a number of charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and tampering with evidence.
Police initially said the boys may have been trying to break into a vacant home next door to Noel's house, but after interviewing witnesses, police decided to arrest Noel.
Noel had told North Miami police that he was home for lunch Wednesday when he heard a noise in the backyard next door to his home in the 1500 block of Northwest 121st Street.
Noel said he went outside to investigate and a struggle ensued between him and two 16-year-old boys. At some point, Noel shot one of the boys in the chest, police said.
According to an arrest report, Noel accused the teens of stealing his bicycle the day before.
Police said Noel shot twice into the ground at one point, didn't let the teens leave and ordered one of the teens to call his parents. The teacher threatened to shoot the teens if they didn't comply with his orders, according to the report.
Police said the confrontation moved over to a shed, where Noel shot one of the teens.
Paramedics took the teen to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. His condition was not disclosed.
Gonzalez-Diego said Noel has been employed by the school district for 19 years.
"We will move to terminate him immediately," she said.
Parents who knew Noel told Local 10 News they were shocked to learn of his arrest. One parent said if what Noel did is true, he must have had a good reason.
"Me and Mr. Noel go back since my son started the school," John J. Carey said. "It has to be way more than what we're being led to believe. I know him personally. He is not that type of person. (He's) the sweetest dude I know."
Other parents said they are happy with the school district's decision to fire Noel.
"I think that's a good call," one mother said.
Noel was being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.