SOUTH BEND (AP) — A well liked sixth-grade teacher who had been harassed by some juveniles pulled a shotgun on three neighborhood children ages 8-12 in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

Edward Winchell, who teaches at Jefferson Intermediate Center, faces three counts of intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted on all three, he could get up to three years in prison.

Kristi Rosbrugh, the mother of two of the children involved in the incident Thursday night, said Winchell, believing the three had just rung his doorbell, came out of his home with a shotgun and threatened to shoot them if they came onto his property again.

"Apparently some kid had been ringing this gentleman's doorbell, and my kids were walking home from a neighbor's house and he thought it was them," Rosbrugh told the South Bend Tribune.

Court documents showed a number of unidentified juveniles in the neighborhood had recently been harassing Winchell and his wife.

When police arrived Thursday night, Winchell came out of his home with his hands raised. He was handcuffed and made to sit down on his front walk, where he was questioned before being arrested and led off to jail.

The Associated Press left a telephone message seeking comment at Winchell's home Saturday.

Rosbrugh, who lives three doors down from Winchell, said her 10-year-old daughter, 8-year-old son and a 12-year-old neighbor were threatened.

Her daughter, who will enter the fifth grade at Winchell's school this fall, remained shaken throughout the ordeal, Rosbrugh said.

"I think that's what's scaring her the most, knowing she might have to see (Winchell) at school," Rosbrugh said.

The South Bend Community School Corp. is aware of Winchell's arrest, but is awaiting further details before making any disciplinary decisions, spokeswoman Judy Tovey said Friday.

Rosbrugh said that before Thursday's incident, she had never had any problems with Winchell, who has lived on the street about three years.

"We always say hi and wave to each other like neighbors, and then this happens," she said.

Lorri Fuller, who has lived next door to Winchell for about 10 months, said he gets along well with most of the children in the neighborhood. Her 13-year-old son had him as a teacher and never had any problems, she said.

"I was totally flabbergasted," she said. "I didn't even think Mr. Winchell would be the kind of person to have a gun. And I know he wouldn't have had any intent to hurt the kids. ... He's a loving and caring man and he loves kids."

Tribune records show Winchell is a longtime volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County. In 2003, he was named the teacher of the year at Darden Primary Center, where he taught fourth grade at the time

He had never before been arrested in St. Joseph County, court records showed.

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Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com