WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed Tuesday in what authorities are calling a “terrible accident.”
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant JD Sloan said the stabbing took place in a bathroom at North Forsyth High School following a fight between two students over a THC vape pen, WXII reports. Cameron Graham, 16, took out a three-inch knife during the altercation, resulting in an 18-year-old student sustaining injuries to his hands. The 18-year-old then attempted to wrestle away the knife but Graham was fatally stabbed in the chest.
Sloan said detectives interviewed dozens of witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage and cell phone videos, ultimately determining Graham’s death was an accident. Forsyth District Attorney Jim O’Neill said there is no probable cause to charge the 18-year-old as he “had the right the use self-defense.”
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O’Neill also said the two students were friends, and that the injured student tried to help Graham after he was stabbed.
“The 18-year-old, seeing that his friend was lying on the ground stabbed, tried to render aid and pack the wound, and put pressure on it,” he said. “I can tell you that he cried and cried after he learned his friend was dead.”
O’Neill said the surviving student is now being “subjected to threats, which, based on this investigation and the truth, it is totally inappropriate.”
“You take that step and threaten this man or his family, there will be consequences,” he said. “We will protect the school, students, and in this case, the 18-year-old after the loss of his friend. No revenge. No retaliation.”
North Forsyth High School Metal Detectors Weren’t Active
Although North Forsyth High School has metal detectors, they were not in use on the day of the stabbing due to staffing issues, according to Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. Kimbrough said he firmly believes that active metal detectors would’ve detected the knife.
“There are some things that need to be fixed,” he added. “We want administrators to be administrators, not security experts.”
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps says the weapons detection system will now be used daily and random checks will be conducted. Phipps also said that while metal detectors are important, they are “one layer of protection,” and called on the community to help prevent violence.
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“There needs to be outreach. Church and city groups to break the cycle of violence,” he said. “Weapons came from somewhere.”
Following the incident, Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines said they will expand their efforts with the youth crime reduction initiative that the city began in November, Fox reports.
North Forsyth High School was closed Wednesday and had a remote learning day Thursday. The school reopened on Friday and crisis teams were made available. Kimbrough also said students could expect to see more deputies around campus.
