According to reports from a local news station, a former agriculture teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School, Matthew Biegel, 38, is facing serious charges including conspiracy to commit murder of a teenager. Court records obtained by the news station stated that a teenager was shot in the face and torso on McElderry Street on July 10, 2023, leaving the victim critically injured.

The news station’s investigation revealed that the two teenagers involved had a “volatile on again, off again relationship.” Disturbingly, detectives determined that Biegel was in an “inappropriate relationship” with one of the teenagers at the time.

After the shooting, the suspected shooter was apprehended at Biegel’s residence. Evidence showed that the shooter was a passenger in a black SUV belonging to Biegel’s parents, with Biegel as the driver. Arrest warrants were issued for both the shooter and Biegel on April 23rd and 24th respectively, according to the news station.

Former students interviewed by the local news station expressed shock at the allegations against their former teacher. One anonymous graduate said “He was one of my favorite teachers…the motivational type” and never expected this. A current senior called Biegel a “cool teacher” who let students hang out, describing him as “nice” and someone you “wouldn’t be expecting this from.”

Biegel has been released on his own recognizance, the news station reported. Baltimore City Public Schools told the news station that Biegel is not a current employee, and they are looking into whether and when he was employed by the district previously.