Man believed to be longest-serving principal in US hospitalized after attack [Video]

CHALMETTE, La. (WVUE/Gray News) – A man thought to be the longest-serving principal in the country is in the hospital recovering from surgery after a Sunday night attack.

Wayne Warner, who has been the principal at Chalmette High School for more than 50 years, was arriving at his apartment when he was attacked, deputies said.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Christopher Kidd, was reportedly pushing over trash cans when Warner, 79, asked what he was doing. Deputies said Kidd then pushed Warner onto the concrete and stole his phone.

“Mr. Warner is a great man and known to help people,” Sheriff James Pohlmann said. “That’s why he stopped, and that’s why he got out of the vehicle to help this young man. He probably thought this guy was having some type of issue and was trying to help, probably didn’t expect for the violence to turn on him the way that it …