Heritage teacher arrested in shooting incident

Dr. Fitzgerald McQueen. (CONTRIBUTED)

HARVEST- Dr. Fitzgerald McQueen, a fifth-grade teacher at Heritage Elementary School, has been arrested for first-degree assault in connection with a shooting.

On Nov. 12 at 3 a.m., deputies with Madison County Sheriff’s Office and officers with Huntsville Police Department reported to Thunderbird Drive in the Anderson Hills neighborhood of Harvest to investigate the shooting.

The officers discovered an 18-year-old man who had suffered a gunshot wound. HEMSI first responders transported the teenager to Huntsville Hospital for treatment of his wounds, which were not life-threatening.

McQueen, who is 50 years old, was charged with first-degree assault for allegedly shooting the teenager. Officers determined that the victim was dating McQueen’s child.

McQueen has worked as an employee with Madison City Schools since 2004, according to John Peck, public relations manager for the school district. School administrators placed McQueen on administrative leave.

McQueen taught fifth-grade classes at Heritage Elementary School. He has previously served on the Heritage Science Team that organizes the school’s annual science fair.

McQueen has taught in both public and private schools in Alabama for 18-plus years, according to Heritage’s website. His classroom and administrative experience has ranged from instructing fourth-graders to teaching college classes.

The website states that McQueen has acquired “extensive experience (in) the development and maintenance of schools with a mental health emphasis.” After graduating from Scottsboro High School, McQueen completed college study with Alabama A&M University, the University of Tennessee and Nova Southeastern University.

Sheriff deputies are continuing their investigation into the incident and stated that McQueen possibly could face more charges when their research concludes.