Approximately 450 students at Watsonville High School in Watsonville, California, did not show up to classes last Friday after a stabbing incident and another violent attack occurred on Thursday.
According to KSBW, three people were injured and four students were arrested on Thursday after a stabbing and a fight occurred at Watsonville High School. The outlet noted that rumors also circulated online on Friday regarding a possible school shooting and that approximately 450 students did not show up to classes at the school.
In a Thursday statement on Facebook, the Watsonville Police Department confirmed that police officials responded to reports of a stabbing at the high school shortly before 10:04 a.m. last Thursday. Upon arriving at the school, one of the police sergeants discovered a 16-year-old suspect was being held down by a school staff member.
The Watsonville Police Department explained that the 16-year-old suspect was arrested and taken into custody by police officials. The department confirmed that a school staff member and a 14-year-old student had been stabbed by the suspect and were transported to a local hospital.
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“Watsonville High School and Linscott Elementary School were placed on lockdown,” the Watsonville Police Department stated. “Shortly before 10:30 AM, the lockdown at Linscott Elementary was lifted. A lengthier lockdown was needed at the High School to continue our investigation, but it was lifted shortly after noon.”
In the Facebook statement, the Watsonville Police Department noted that a second incident stemming from the stabbing attack was also being investigated after a suspect “fled from the scene of the stabbing, gathered two other students, and attacked another 14-year-old student.” The department said the two incidents occurred “one right after the other” on Thursday.
According to KSBW, the 16-year-old stabbing suspect currently remains in custody on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. Meanwhile, the three other suspects involved in the second incident were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and felony battery.
In a Friday statement, the Watsonville Police Department acknowledged that rumors had circulated online regarding a “possible shooting” at Watsonville High School. The department confirmed that after conducting a “thorough investigation,” police officials determined that there was “NO CREDIBILITY” behind the shooting rumors.
Addressing the concerns at Watsonville High School in a statement obtained by KSBW, Superintendent Heather Contreras said, “This is obviously a very traumatizing event we will have mental health supports and counseling on hand.”
