Leftist NYC Professor Caught On Camera Holding Machete To Reporter’s Neck Avoids Jail

A Left-wing Manhattan college professor entered a plea deal to avoid jail time with prosecutors Monday after she was caught on camera threatening a New York Post reporter with a machete. 

Shellyne Rodriguez, a former professor at Hunter College, was caught on camera holding a machete up to a reporter’s neck while threatening to “chop” him. Rodriguez threatened and chased Reuven Fenton after he came to her home to ask her about an incident where the leftist professor was caught on camera cursing at pro-life students at Hunter College. 

The 46-year-old professor pleaded guilty to a count of menacing, a misdemeanor, and to a harassment violation, The New York Post reported. Rodriguez’s plea deal will require her to go to counseling at the Alternative Wellness Collective of Manhattan, and if she stays out of trouble with the law for up to a year, her record will be wiped clean. Rodriguez initially pleaded not guilty to charges of harassment, menacing, and weapons possession before prosecutors worked out the plea deal.

“The terms are no new arrests before final sentencing, which will be a completion or after a completion of behavioral modification therapy no shorter than six months and no longer than 12 months,” Judge Dan Quart told her. 

Rodriguez arrived at court on Monday with a group of supporters who shielded her from cameras with their umbrellas and jackets. She didn’t make any comments to the press when she left following her hearing. 

In early May, the professor was seen on video cursing at students at Hunter College who had set up a booth with pro-life materials. 

“This is bulls***. This is violent. You’re triggering my students,” Rodriguez said before throwing some of the pro-life materials on the ground. 

PROFESSOR GONE WILD: Pro-abortion professor Shellyne Rodriquez curses at pro-life students and vandalizes table at Hunter College. pic.twitter.com/QNspuXB4KK

— Students for Life of America (@StudentsforLife) May 17, 2023

After the professor’s tirade made headlines, Fenton went to ask Rodriguez some questions at her home. Video of that meeting showed Rodriguez opening her apartment door to the Post reporter and a photographer who was with him before threatening them with a machete. 

“Get the f*** away from my door, or I’m gonna chop you up with this machete!” she yelled as she put the machete right up next to his neck. “Get the f*** away from my door! Get the f*** away from my door!”

Fenton and the photographer left the building but were followed by Rodriguez who was still holding the machete. Rodriguez then chased the photographer, yelling, “Get the f*** off the block! Get the f*** out of here, yo!”

A spokesperson for Hunter College later told the newspaper that she had been fired.

“Hunter College strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of Shellyne Rodriguez and has taken immediate action,” he said. “Rodriguez has been relieved of her duties at Hunter College effective immediately, and will not be returning to teach at the school.”

Last month, Rodriguez was hired as an adjunct instructor at the Cooper Union and appeared on the schedule as a teacher for a sculpture class, according to the Post. Some students at Cooper Union decried the college’s hiring of Rodriguez, saying it was “scary” and “crazy.” 

Ryan Saavedra contributed to this report.