MIAMI ―Police are investigating the beating of a Miami Dade College music professor to see whether it was ordered by a student angry over a bad grade.
The Miami Herald reported Tuesday that 31-year-old professor Marc Magellan was attacked last week inside a parking garage.
Magellan told police that the assailant called out “Professor Marc” and, when Magellan turned around, punched him in the face. Magellan fell to the ground and the assailant began punching him and smashing his head on the concrete floor, leaving him with a broken nose and hand and other injuries.
Magellan told police he did not recognize his attacker. He speculated that the attack might have stemmed from a bad grade he gave to a student as the attacker did not rob him and seemed to target him specifically.
“I’m a very peaceful and loving person. There is nobody I can think of who would have wanted to attack me so brutally unless there was some sort of grudge or chip on their shoulder,” Magellan said in an email to the Herald. “In my business, yes, the only people who hold grudges are the ones who I’ve had to drop or fail. It comes with the territory I guess.”
He said he plans to return to the classroom soon.
College spokesman Juan Mendieta said security has been increased on campus. He said crime on campus is usually limited to thefts and vandalism.