Yes, he SHOULD know better, but his behavior highlights his inexperience with both the gun AND the law. There are penalties that apply and I have no doubt that they will be. "I didn't know" excuses won't work.
However, the article, or the facts reported, are full of holes.
First, we see the two principals talking and laughing at 7PM, as shown on the security camera, after this so-called "threatening" incident occurred. Where's the threat?
Second, you have the "victim" claiming the laser was on her forehead. Was the beam hot enough for her to feel it? It would have to be, for I am certain one cannot see their own forehead unless they use a mirror, which she wasn't. She did say she saw it on the wall in front of her while she was setting at her desk, with her back to the guy. Was there a mirror on the wall next to the entrance to her office that she could see her image in and notice a laser dot on her forehead? The article didn't mention any.
Third, the incident happened on Tuesday and she waited to filed a report with the police about it on the following Saturday. So, for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday she's OK going to work and working with her "threatening" BOSS without any expression or mention of the fear or apprehension she claims on her report?
The facts, if they are facts, raises the question of her motive for filing such a late report. It appears to me that sometime between Tuesday and Saturday she realized that she could use the situation to her advantage by getting rid of her boss and getting brownie points from the board at the same time. It took her only three days to figure that out. Her only risk is that the board might not promote her to President of that branch.