A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to violently attacking two teachers at Normandale Community College before fleeing on foot, leaving behind a loaded pistol in his backpack.
Gavin M. Hutson, 21, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty in Hennepin County District Court on Monday to felony assault, two counts of misdemeanor assault and carrying a gun without a permit in connection with the violent outburst on Dec. 12 in a classroom on the Bloomington campus.
Hutson was in class in the science building when his instructor requested he stay behind to "discuss an inappropriate remark he made to another student," according to the criminal complaint filed against him. He complied, but then hit the female teacher, knocking her to the floor, where she lost consciousness.
A witness told police that Hutson then stood over the instructor and continued punching her. The witness yelled for help, and a second faculty member arrived to try to pull Hutson away. Hutson turned and attacked that instructor, who suffered a cut to his forehead. The female teacher was hospitalized with broken bones in her face.
Hutson fled on foot, and Bloomington police found him in a nearby ramp. Investigators found Hutson's backpack in the classroom with a loaded semi-automatic pistol and additional ammunition inside.
Sentencing is set for June 17.
