MURRYSVILLE, Pa. – As many as 20 people were stabbed on Wednesday morning at Franklin Regional High School.
The incident occurred just after the start of the school day, reports the Wire, and the BBC is reporting that a 16-year-old male student is the suspect. The suspect is in custody after being tackled by the assistant principal and an SRO from the Murrysville Police Department, reports ABC News. The boy was in possession of two knives.
About eight victims sustained serious injuries, although all are expected to survive. The victims are being treated at area hospitals. Although most of them were injured by the weapon, some suffered scrapes and cuts as a result of the mayhem during the attack, reports Yahoo. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 60. One adult was injured, while the other victims were students.
Several news sources are reporting that a female student saved the life of another classmate by applying pressure to the victim’s wounds. USA Today is reporting that the suspect was “really shy” and that a fire alarm triggered during the incident prompted the evacuation of the campus and may have reduced the number of victims.
Classes at the high school, as well as at the elementary schools have been cancelled for the day.
The school district released the following statement on its website:
After a critical incident at Franklin Regional Senior High School this morning, the campus was locked down. Elementary classes were cancelled and high school students were evacuated to the middle school. Law enforcement are working with the school district to manage the situation.
Middle school and high school students will only be dismissed to parents. Parents should report to Heritage Elementary for reunification. All parents will need to sign out students before dismissal. As parents arrive at Heritage Elementary, staff members will escort middle school and high school students to the building for reunification. Any high school student who drove to school will not be permitted to drive home without a parent.
Staff members should work together and follow the directions of administrators and law enforcement to reunify students.
