CHICAGO – A Chicago substitute teacher faces multiple misdemeanor assault charges after he allegedly choked several students at a local elementary school.

“He started choking me, slammed me against the wall, and my nose was in the board,” a 7-year-old alleged victim told ABC.

Abdul Muztar, 64, is charged with five counts of battery after an alleged incident at Sabin Magnet School last Friday, though further details on the case are scarce.

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Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Lauren Huffman told the Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire that Muztar was arrested Dec. 12 after he grabbed multiple students by the backs of their necks at the North Side school.

“Chicago Public Schools is aware of these allegations and takes them very seriously,” she said. “We are working with the Chicago Police Department on an investigation.”

Muztar is expected back in court Jan. 30, according to media reports.

Many who commented on the story online wondered what provoked the incident, but believed the teacher should have handled it differently, regardless.

“A seven year old shouldn’t be able to provoke a professional into workplace violence,” Bobby Greens posted to the ABC story. “This teacher is an idiot …”

“Nobody should be allowed to teach if they don’t have the patience for kids,” AdPr posted.

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“You DO NOT EVER touch a child as a teacher or any other school employee,” Nikki wrote.

Some were sympathetic with Muztar’s task of teaching kids that often don’t want to learn, but acknowledged “that’s no excuse” for his alleged behavior.

“OMG. Poor kids. Hope they are ok,” Noneofyourbusiness posted. “Poor old man. Dealing with probably a bunch of disrespectful kids and lost it. I’ve dealt with a lot of kids and some can piss you off, but that’s not excuse.

“This man should have took a break.”

Victoria DiPego also thought there were much better ways to resolve school problems.

“Should have just had the children sent to the principal to be suspended for that bullying behavior!!” she wrote.