A 16-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a classmate multiple times during a bathroom fight at Fort Lee High School in New Jersey, leaving the victim in critical condition.
Key Takeaways
- A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a 15-year-old classmate multiple times at Fort Lee High School in New Jersey.
- The victim suffered stab wounds to the neck, back, arm, and chest but is expected to survive despite being in critical condition.
- The attack reportedly began as a prank between students that escalated dramatically, with allegations that another student may have helped hold down the victim.
- Fort Lee High School was placed on lockdown until 2 p.m., with students being dismissed early and additional police presence established at the school.
- Parents have expressed concerns about the lack of metal detectors at the school following the incident.
Violent Altercation Leads to Serious Injuries
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in a bathroom at Fort Lee High School when what appears to have started as a prank between students quickly escalated into violence. According to prosecutors, the 16-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed his 15-year-old classmate multiple times, inflicting wounds to the victim’s neck, back, arm, and chest. First responders and school security discovered the wounded student, who was promptly transported to a hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition. Despite the severity of his injuries, medical professionals expect the victim to survive.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the confrontation may have stemmed from a humiliating prank. A student at the school, Angel Serrano Lugo, shared what he had heard about the incident’s origin: “What I heard was one of the kids pulled the other kid’s pants down and the kid got mad…and it led to an altercation in the bathroom, that’s what I heard from my friend.”
Emergency Response and School Security Measures
Following the stabbing, Fort Lee High School immediately initiated lockdown procedures, securing all students and staff in classrooms until approximately 2 p.m. Local authorities closed roads surrounding the educational facility, and family members were specifically instructed not to approach the school building during the emergency response. Students were eventually dismissed early with a substantial police presence overseeing their departure. The Fort Lee Police Department has announced increased security at the school as a precautionary measure moving forward.
“A 16-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday and slapped with an attempted murder charge for allegedly stabbing his classmate during a gruesome attack inside a New Jersey high school, prosecutors said.” – Source
The victim was reportedly found bleeding outside the restroom after the attack. According to Lugo, the injured student was heard pleading, “He said they stabbed me, please help me, help me.” This statement, along with other evidence gathered by investigators, has raised questions about whether more than one student was involved in the assault. Some reports indicate another student may have helped restrain the victim during the stabbing, though this detail remains under investigation.
Legal Proceedings and Community Response
Law enforcement arrested the alleged attacker at the scene. The 16-year-old suspect now faces multiple serious charges including first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, and weapon possession charges. The juvenile is currently being held at the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center awaiting a closed hearing due to his age. The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine if others were involved and gather additional evidence about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The violent incident has sparked serious concern within the community, particularly among parents worried about school safety protocols. Doris Lugo, a parent, vocalized the sentiment shared by many families regarding the absence of metal detectors at Fort Lee High School. The stabbing has disrupted normal school operations, including postponement of SAT exams scheduled for the following day. School administrators have made counselors available to provide support for students and staff affected by the traumatic event as the community begins to process what occurred.
Sources:
- 16-year-old allegedly stabbed classmate multiple times at NJ’s Fort Lee High School
- 16-year-old charged after stabbing fellow student multiple times in school bathroom, police say
