A student died at a Northern California high school after a fight broke out between three students, ending in a fatality after one of the students stabbed another as classmates watched.
Authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the fight. They arrested a 15-year-old freshman on charges of homicide, attempted homicide, and possessing a weapon inside school premises, in connection to the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old junior student inside an art classroom at the Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa. Another 16-year-old junior student was also injured in the attack.
The incident shocked the Santa Rosa community and prompted the lockdowns of nearby schools as law enforcement officers searched the area for the suspect.
Principal Adam Paulson announced that the school would remain closed for the week and described the incident as the darkest day that will be remembered at the school.
Santa Rosa Police identified the 16-year-old deceased victim as Jayden Jess Pienta. Pienta’s stepfather, Tom Lenwell, said he was still shocked and hurt because he would never see his stepson again.
Sergeant Christopher Mahurin with the Santa Rosa Police Department said on Thursday that detectives would interview the students, teacher, and teacher’s aides who were inside the classroom at the time of the incident. He said that police officers would be at the school when it reopens on Monday next week.
Most parents were shocked by the fatal stabbing and are questioning how the school district will keep their kids safe.
Libby Dalton, a parent at the school, said there were safety concerns after a student carried a gun to the school last year.
According to the police, the altercation began when the two junior students stormed into the art class and started fighting with the freshman. Teachers present in the class broke up the fight, but the freshman allegedly took out a knife and stabbed the 16-year-old boys.
Sergeant Mahurin said they had not yet discovered what prompted the brawl, but the three students had fought before.
Dalton said there were frequent fights among students in the school and that the school district did nothing to curb the fighting.
