Some members of the exercise class mentioned it is unfair the favored Zumba teacher was let go by the gymnasium – claiming the opposite individuals concerned had been the aggressors.
DENVER — A health teacher in Denver has been fired after a struggle broke out throughout his class, in line with attendees of his exercise class.
It was all caught on tape.
Now, some members of the teacher’s class mentioned it is not honest that he was let go by the gymnasium.
“I actually thought that VASA would have protected him as an worker, as a senior citizen, as somebody who didn’t provoke this interplay, however that wasn’t the case. They fired him,” mentioned Tara Steiner, who noticed the struggle occur.
Aqua Zumba courses at VASA Health on South Sheridan Boulevard is one thing Steiner at all times makes time for. Marlon Centeno is a well-liked teacher and a beloved one, at that.
“It is undoubtedly a spotlight of my week and a way of neighborhood, actually,” she mentioned. “It has been unhappy. I believe we have all been tremendous involved for him and the way he is doing.”
On July 28, a struggle broke out throughout Centeno’s class.
“I had my digital camera going,” mentioned Krista Caliga, who was filming the exercise session led by Centeno on that day. “These two guys tried to stroll in entrance of him. There wasn’t any room for them to stroll.”
> Watch Caliga’s video of the altercation:
She mentioned two youngsters tried to get previous Centeno as he was instructing and one of many teenagers fell into the water.
“It is actually suspicious if you stroll previous an exit right into a center of a category, strolling proper in direction of an teacher, what are your intentions with that?” mentioned Steiner. “There are two different exits to the pool.”
There was pushing and punching.
“When he was within the water, Marlon held out his open fingers like, ‘I am sorry,’ and the man bought out of the water and he was simply completely uncontrolled, belligerent and indignant,” mentioned Caliga.
Steiner mentioned all of it occurred shortly.
“I believe he needed to defend himself at that time,” she mentioned. “What occurred was not proper and the way it’s been dealt with has not been proper.”
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Within the video, three girls within the class together with Caliga shaped a barrier between the 2.
“He was threatening Marlon and I might see what was occurring and I took off from the opposite aspect of the pool to go round to be with Marlon,” she mentioned. “One of many ladies bought behind him and was making an attempt to tug him away from Marlon and us.”
Finally, the preventing stopped.
Steiner mentioned each events have filed complaints in opposition to one another with the police.
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“I imagine his [Centeno’s] shoulder was dislocated and had a torn rotator cuff,” she mentioned. “He’s with out earnings now. He’s injured. He can’t work.”
VASA Health spokesperson Jaime Cottini gave this assertion relating to the scenario:
“We don’t tolerate any type of aggression or violence in our golf equipment and try to create a protected and pleasant setting for our members and crew members. We have now completely reviewed this incident and need to respect the privateness of all concerned and due to this fact can’t share the main points publicly. VASA administration has taken applicable motion to handle this case.”
We’re ready for extra info from Denver Police.
Some members of Centeno’s class have created an internet fundraiser for him.
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