Police report names suspect in school attack

The man accused of hitting the principal of Hancock Elementary School and a custodian last week was asked to leave school property several times and might have been drinking before the incident, according to a Clark County School District police report.

The report and a criminal complaint filed by the Clark County District Attorney's office Tuesday named the suspect as Ronnie Ray Parker.

Parker is accused of hitting Hancock Principal Susan Waters, 51, in the face during an after-school event Sept. 26. Waters was knocked unconscious when her head hit the ground. The school is near Lindell Road and Oakey Boulevard.

The police report also stated that Humberto Ramirez, a custodian at Hancock, was hit in the mouth by Parker after he pushed Parker away from Waters when he hovered over her after assaulting her.

Parker is described in the police report as 6 foot 1 inch tall and weighing 210 pounds.

District police did not return calls Tuesday afternoon for comment. School police had said last week that they expected to make an arrest on Friday.

But earlier in the day, Lt. Ken Young, with the district police, said no arrests had been made in the case.

Waters' husband, Gary, speaking on behalf of his wife, said she was recovering at home Tuesday and expected to be back at school as soon as her injuries healed.

Gary Waters, a former member of the State Board of Education, said his wife received stitches above her lip and in her mouth, and she had heavy bruising on her face. But he said he felt fortunate his wife wasn't more seriously injured.

"If the guy had a gun or a knife, he might have used it," Gary Waters said. "She hopes there is a speedy arrest of the perpetrator."

According to the complaint, Parker faces one count of battery with substantial bodily harm while on school property, a felony, and two counts of battery on a school employee, a gross misdemeanor. The report said the incident began when a parent approached the principal crying and saying her husband, Parker, had been drinking and was being abusive and threatening her and her son.

Parents and Gary Waters described the after-school event as a festive one where a firefighter who goes by the name "DJ Tony" entertains students. Students participated in hula-hoop and dance competitions.

According to the police report, parents and students were unaware that Parker's wife was in danger when she left the courtyard where students were enjoying the festivities.

The police report states that Waters and Ramirez escorted Parker's wife to her car. Parker confronted his wife and then the principal, after she tried to intervene. Waters asked Parker to leave the campus three times before he struck her. Waters was struck by Parker when Ramirez turned away to call police, the report states.

But Gary Waters disputes some of the details in the police report. He said his wife never escorted Parker's wife to her car. She was only outside of the school with the parent to see whether Parker was still on school property and because she was trying to get a description of him in order to call the police, he said. Gary Waters also disputes that Ramirez was struck in the mouth, saying Ramirez was hit in the neck.