Austin High School teacher charged in hammer attack

Police say an Austin High School teacher attacked his ex-girlfriend with a hammer. She is in the hospital with severe injuries. He is too, but for self-inflicted wounds.

An office park along Joe DiMaggio Boulevard in Round Rock is where police say a woman called to report that her ex-boyfriend attacked her with a hammer.

Less than an hour later police say the man, identified as 62-year-old Stephen Mjos, jumped off the Leander Road overpass in Georgetown in attempt to kill himself.

Both are now in area hospitals.

Thursday, the only evidence of the crime was a board covering a window at the business park.

Business owners say police told them Mjos broke into the victim's place of business and waited on her to arrive.

They saw wounds to her head and arm as she was loaded into an ambulance.

The incident is especially shocking to Austin High School as Mjos is a long-standing chemistry teacher and golf coach there.

"Lots of kids are finding out about it at school and stuff so it's kind of negative environment right now, but I think everyone is trying to help each other out,” said student Ella Carr.

Senior Ella Carr did not have Mjos as a teacher, but knows many people who did.

"So many students loved him. He made a big impact on all of the golf kids, so it's pretty sad,” she said.

Mjos is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. He will be transferred to the Williamson County Jail upon release from the hospital.

The district says Mjos has been teaching for 39 years. We are told the administration is actively monitoring the investigation. But once again, Mjos remains on the payroll.

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