PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A 16-year-old Carrick High School student has been accused of smuggling a kitchen knife onto campus and stabbing three classmates.
According to police reports, the confrontation unfolded on a Wednesday morning when Anthony Taulton, who is being charged as an adult with three counts of aggravated assault and two weapons-related crimes, engaged in a fight stemming from a dispute that began weeks earlier. Taulton confessed to police that his involvement escalated from a series of threatening text messages exchanged with other students.
How the Carrick High School Stabbing Unfolded
On the day of the incident, Taulton told his mother he was apprehensive about attending school, fearing a potential conflict, reports the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Despite these concerns, he left home with a kitchen knife concealed in a hat within his backpack, managing to pass through the school’s security checks unnoticed. The teen recounted to police that he moved the knife to his hoodie pocket after clearing the metal detectors.
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The situation escalated quickly. Taulton described encountering a student from the contentious group chat, leading to an invitation for a “30-second fight.” As the altercation ensued, Taulton resorted to using the knife, resulting in injuries to three students.
One student suffered severe stab wounds to the forearm and abdomen and was hospitalized, while another sustained a minor cut and was treated on-site, reports WTAE. The third student received medical attention at Children’s Hospital for abdominal injuries.
Eyewitness Accounts and the Immediate School Response
Eyewitnesses corroborated Taulton’s story, detailing the rapid progression from a verbal exchange to physical violence. One victim described a fist fight erupting after perceiving Taulton’s actions as an indication of aggression. Another student, attempting to aid his friend, inadvertently became involved and was injured in the process.
In the aftermath, the school was placed on lockdown, and the event was captured by security cameras. School Police Chief Dena Young highlighted that all students typically undergo metal detection upon entry. However, Taulton, who arrived late, entered through the cafeteria where older security systems are in place. Chief Young assured that despite its age, the equipment remains functional.
School Security and Safety Measures Under Scrutiny
The incident has spotlighted existing security measures at Carrick High School, which employs a mix of in-house and mobile security officers. Notably, the metal detectors, now nearly a decade old, are slated for replacement, a process initiated before Wednesday’s events.
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In response to the stabbings, school officials have announced a shift to remote learning for the remainder of the week to address safety concerns and provide support to students and staff.
