A student has tragically died after a fight involving two students and a pair of scissors on Tuesday afternoon, prompting an hours-long lockdown at the facility
A student from an Arizona high school tragically lost his life after a classroom dispute escalated into a fatal stabbing incident on Tuesday morning.
Staff at Maryvale High School promptly alerted a school resource officer about the altercation, who swiftly detained the suspect. Phoenix police later revealed that the fight involved two male students and occurred just before 11 a.m. local time. Some fellow students reported it involved two first-year pupils and a pair of scissors.
Both boys were rushed to hospital, where one sadly passed away. The other did not sustain serious injuries. Details surrounding the conflict, including any potential motive, remain limited.
“We are heartbroken by this senseless tragedy today at Maryvale High School,” expressed Phoenix Union High School District Superintendent Thea Andrade to Arizona’s Family, a group of local stations.
Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giardano described it as “a sad day for the great Maryvale community” and acknowledged it’s “a difficult time for those affected by this incident.”
In the aftermath of the stabbing, the Mirror US reports the school was put on lockdown for several hours before students were dismissed early. Parents informed Arizona’s Family that they were kept in the dark throughout the entire ordeal – their children had little knowledge of what was transpiring.
Nathan Florez, a 15 year old pupil, told the media outlet: “We found out in an announcement that there was a lockdown and it wasn’t a drill. When I found out, I was pretty shocked. I was at a loss for words.”
The identities of both the victim and the suspect remain undisclosed. Officials announced that Maryvale High School will operate on a modified timetable on Wednesday to provide “extensive emotional support” for pupils and staff.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego reassured parents, stating: “To the parents out there, we are working to make schools as safe as possible.”
PXU enforces a mobile phone policy designed to minimise classroom distractions. However, several families told Arizona’s Family that they fear this could jeopardise children’s safety during emergencies like this one, hindering their ability to contact family members who are often frantic to know their children are safe.
As the investigation unfolds, Osborn Road is shut between 57th and 59th avenues. Local drivers are being advised to seek alternative routes. The school is situated on 59th Avenue just south of Indian School Road.
Phoenix police are appealing to anyone with information about the incident – including photographs and videos of the event – to contact the department at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-TESTIGO) for Spanish speakers. All tips can remain anonymous if the caller so desires.
Several additional officials issued statements regarding the incident, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. “The death of a student as the result of a stabbing at Maryvale High School is a terrible tragedy,” he said, according to Arizona’s Family.
“Schools must be safe places.
“The on-campus school safety officer responded immediately, rendered aid to the student and did his job well,” Horne continued. “This terrible incident reinforces my commitment to doing everything possible to make schools safe.”
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