![UPDATE: Teacher’s Attorney Suprised By Charges [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/09/BACKPACK-300x300.jpg?w=980&q=75)
UPDATE: Teacher’s Attorney Suprised By Charges [POLL]
ST. PETER (AP) - The attorney for a Minnesota teacher accused of hitting a student in the head with a backpack says she's surprised the educator is facing a misdemeanor assault charge.
St. Peter High School science teacher Robert Shoemaker is accused of hitting the 17-year-old male student in the head with an 11-pound backpack in September. The student said he wasn't feeling well and was tired, so he had put his head down on his desk.
Shoemaker's attorney, Sarah MacGillis says the student apparently wasn't hurt because he went to football practice the same day and played in the school's game the following day. MacGillis says "people have been coming out of the woodwork" to support Shoemaker, who has been teaching at St. Peter High School for 25 years.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)