Welding teacher at Virginia high school fires a firearm in class at students

Manuael Ernest Dillow, a 60-year old welding teacher at a vocational school in Abingdon, Virginia, lined up the 12 students in his class against a garage door in the shop where they were learning.  He then pulled out a realistic-looking "blank firing handgun" (starter pistol) and shot several times in their direction, terrorizing them, though none were injured.

From the article:

An investigation reportedly discovered Dillow "gathered" the attention of the 12 students in his welding class and lined them up near a garage door in the shop.

"He then pulled a 'blank firing handgun,' black in color, from the back waistband of his pants and discharged the weapon between four and ten shots in the direction of the line of the students," states a Wednesday afternoon press release. "The 'report' of the firearm was similar to that of a firearm that fires a projectile, thus placing the students in fear, according to statements. No students were physically injured as a result of the incident."

Dillow was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond with a hearing date scheduled for May 7.

UPDATE (4/23/12):  Not surprisingly, this teacher has been fired from his position.