ABINGDON, Va. (AP) — A Washington County teacher accused of firing a blank gun in a welding class is facing criminal charges.

Police tell media outlets that 60-year-old Manuael Ernest Dillow is charged with 12 felony counts of brandishing a weapon.

Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman says the incident occurred April 4 at the William N. Neff Center in Abingdon.

Dillow is accused of lining up a dozen students near a garage door and firing the blank gun multiple times in their direction.

No students were injured. A motive hasn’t been released.

Washington County Schools Superintendent Jim Sullivan says Dillow isn’t working now but he couldn’t comment further because it’s a personnel matter.

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