FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — After a 16-year-old boy was stabbed at a Fairfax County high school Wednesday, Virginia political leaders said the attack had a personal impact. 

State Sen. Scott Surovell, who represents the Belle Haven community where West Potomac High School is, said his son was inside the school when the stabbing happened. 

“This hit even closer to home for me as a West Potomac parent whose son was at the school,” Surovell said. 

The Democratic majority leader graduated from West Potomac in 1989. He said his three other children also graduated from the Fairfax County high school. 

“These students are so close to the end of the school year and for many, a graduation. This time for celebration is now marred by this ugly incident,” Surovell said. “These kids deserved so much better today.” 

Del. Paul Krizek graduated from West Potomac in 1980 and also represents the school in the Virginia General Assembly. The Democratic delegate cosigned a statement with Surovell about the stabbing on Wednesday. 

“In the days ahead, we will work with school leaders, law enforcement and mental health experts to fully fund programs to ensure safety and prevent future violence to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools remain the best public schools in the United States,” Surovell and Krizek wrote. “To West Potomac students: You are not alone. We stand with you, and we are committed to your well-being and security.” 

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed more than once by a 15-year-old student during a fight between three students at around 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

The 16-year-old victim was in the hospital Wednesday. FCPD originally said his wounds were “life-threatening” but later downgraded his condition to “stable.” 

The 15-year-old suspect was in custody on Wednesday and faces malicious wounding charges. A third student was interviewed by police but police said they were not charging him. 

Other parents said their children saw the stabbing happen with some even sending graphic videos as adults waited inside their cars in suspense. Aellene Fernandez tried to pick up her son Wednesday morning. 

“I get this second video, with the kid on the floor (bleeding),” Fernandez said. 

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid said that students would not be released early, with the school system sending out an email to families that West Potomac would follow a “Stay Put, Stay Tuned” safety protocol. 

Reid spoke outside the school Wednesday morning, adding that West Potomac students would not be released to parents until the crime scene had been cleared. 

“We got here and we get no answers,” Fernandez said after attending Reid’s press conference. “This is just crazy. We get videos from the kids inside, there’s videos all over social media of what happened.”

West Potomac classes ended at 2:55 p.m. on Wednesday, more than five hours after the stabbing.