SANTA ANA, Calif. — The parents of Armando Morales, a 15-year-old student who was fatally stabbed outside Santa Ana High School on May 7, have filed a lawsuit against the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD). The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the district and claims that lapses in supervision and safety contributed to the stabbing.
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Jorge Morales and Brenda Aburto argue in their legal filing that school administrators and staff failed to address ongoing campus safety concerns, despite frequent altercations and prior warnings from authorities about insufficient measures to ensure student safety.
Santa Ana High School Had History of Daily Fights On- and Off-Campus
The altercation that led to Morales’s death was not an isolated incident, as the lawsuit highlights a history of daily fights occurring both on and off campus during and after school hours.
The situation has drawn criticism from the Santa Ana School Police Officers’ Association, which attributed the tragedy in part to the defunding and understaffing of the school police department, reports NBC Los Angeles.
In an August 2023 letter to the board of education, the association said the district was slotted for 33 sworn officers but only had 19 officers due to departures and not hiring replacements. The letter noted that the staffing level was operating 45% below its intended capacity.
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It remains unclear whether a school resource officer was present at the time of the incident, reports Fox LA.
Lawsuit Alleges Delays in Medical Assistance to Victim
The lawsuit additionally claims that school staff mishandled the immediate aftermath of the stabbing. The family’s attorneys allege that Armando Morales was taken inside the school following the altercation but did not receive life-saving medical attention.
Attorney Michael Carrillo criticized the response, stating, “The administrator himself did not continue to try to stop the bleeding… there was no call for immediate emergency crews.” Carrillo further claimed that the delay in contacting 911 could have worsened Morales’s condition.
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The May 7 stabbing occurred following an after-school fight in which Morales reportedly attempted to protect another student. He was fatally stabbed multiple times, while two other students, ages 15 and 16, sustained injuries but were later discharged from the hospital.
Two male students involved in the stabbing, ages 15 and 17, fled the scene but turned themselves in the next day. The 15-year-old suspect has been charged with murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. It is unclear whether the 17-year-old suspect is also facing charges.
SAUSD Issues Statement in Response to Lawsuit
SAUSD has issued a statement following the filing of the lawsuit, stating, “The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) has received and is reviewing the legal claim. As this matter may involve potential litigation, the District is unable to provide further comment involving this claim. The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority. We continue focused on maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all students.”
