FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — A 16-year-old boy is in the hospital after a stabbing at West Potomac High School in Fairfax County on Wednesday, authorities said.
Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) responded to the school and discovered that a teenager had been stabbed. The 16-year-old was initially rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Now, the teen’s injuries have been downgraded to stable, FCPD said in a Noon update.
Police said a 15-year-old was taken into custody and will be charged with malicious wounding. The knife that was used in the stabbing has been recovered and an investigation is ongoing, FCPD said.
This all started around 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday because of a fight between three students at West Potomac High School.
The third person, who is also 15 years old, is being questioned. Police do not anticipate any criminal charges, FCPD said.
Joanne Boice, a parent with two West Potomac students, told 7News’ Tom Roussey that her son saw the stabbing in the hallway.
“I’m nervous, I’m scared, I would just like to get my kid,” Boice said. “It’s a great school, we love it here, but this is a scary situation that no parent ever wants to experience.”
“West Potomac High School is safe,” said Superintendent Michelle Reid during a Noon press conference. “I’m very proud of the response of our staff in this incident.”
Reid said that students are still currently in class and on a modified lunch schedule. They will remain in school for the rest of the day.
However, parents at the press conference expressed their frustration with the students not being released.
Reid said the school administration needs to take care of “safety measures” so they can initiate early dismal for parents who want to get their kids.
This stabbing comes just days after FCPS launched a pilot program to install weapon detection systems at select schools.
RELATED | New weapons screening system tested at Edison High School in Fairfax County
Thomas A. Edison High School was one of the first campuses to receive the technology on Tuesday, as part of FCPS’s effort to improve safety across the district. It is unclear why Edison High School was among the first locations, but two months ago, 7News reported that a 16-year-old student had been arrested after bringing a gun on school grounds.
David Walrod, president of Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT), issued the following statement:
“FCFT is shocked and saddened to learn of the attack at West Potomac High School. Violence has no place in our schools, which must remain a place of safety for all students and FCPS workers. Our thoughts are with the victim, and we wish them a full recovery.”
