Following a violent altercation on campus on Monday that left one student dead and another hospitalized, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School is in shock.
In the school’s gymnasium, a brawl broke out at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday, leading to a fatal stabbing, according to News 13.
A school resource officer reported that a student had been stabbed, so the Raleigh Police Department, under the command of Chief Estella Patterson, quickly arrived on the scene and asked for emergency medical assistance.
Authorities discovered two stabbing victims when they arrived. They were both quickly taken to a local hospital. Sadly, the 16-year-old victim passed away from their wounds, and the 15-year-old kid who was the second victim is presently receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.
Though the details of what precipitated the fight are still unknown, Chief Patterson stated that the stabbing was the consequence of a significant altercation.
To protect the safety of all students and staff, the school immediately implemented a Code Red Lockdown, prohibiting access and leave. As police sought to secure the area and capture the perpetrator, the lockdown was implemented as a preventative measure.
Following the event, school officials have announced that Tuesday’s classes will be canceled in reaction to the problem.
“Shortly after 11 a.m., our School Resource Officer reported that two students were stabbed during an altercation in the gymnasium. We went into a Code Red lockdown while law enforcement and school security quickly secured the scene and provided first-aid to the victims. Both victims were transported to the hospital. One of the students passed away. The second victim remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries,” according to the school’s principal.
It continued:
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones. Please keep them and all of those that have been impacted by this loss in your thoughts. While student privacy laws prevent me from sharing specific information about the victim, please know that the student who passed away was a valued member of our school community, and we grieve this loss alongside his loved ones.”
Following the fatal confrontation, authorities have obtained a custody order for a 14-year-old suspect who has been charged with juvenile homicide, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
More from WRAL:
Cherelle McLaughlin is the mother of one of the students involved in the fight. She told WRAL News her son was acting in self-defense and claimed he was concerned for his safety at the school.
“I don’t believe he took the knife into school,” McLaughlin said. “I believe he got the knife from somebody in the school because he did not go to school with a knife. I dropped him off at school, he did not go to school with it.”
Her son is seen wearing a red hoodie at the beginning of a video capturing the fight. WRAL News made numerous attempts to reach the victim’s family, but could not reach them.
Patterson said detectives are working to identify everyone involved in the altercation, and that it’s an ongoing investigation.
WATCH (Warning: Violent Content)