On Monday, November 27, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Two students were involved in a stabbing event that ended the life of 15-year-old Delvin Ferrell and resulted in another 16-year-old student being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about school safety.
Authorities have taken a 14-year-old into custody, charging the individual with murder on a juvenile petition.
The Raleigh Police Department responded to the scene at 11:01 a.m., following a report from a school resource officer. The rapid response underscores the severity of the situation and the efforts made to secure the premises and provide immediate assistance.
The school went into a Code Red lockdown as law enforcement and emergency services converged on the scene.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage from students indicated that the altercation began outside the gymnasium before escalating indoors, leading to a chaotic and distressing scene. Two teens ran into the school gymnasium and one punched the other as dozens of cheering students filmed the fight on their phones. The student on the ground stabbed his attacker in the leg and groin.
In the aftermath, the school was swathed in yellow police tape as investigations commenced. Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson confirmed that officers at the scene secured the area and provided first aid to the victims before they were taken to hospitals for further treatment.
Wake County Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, addressing the media, stressed the district’s commitment to student safety and well-being. A full investigation, in collaboration with local and state law enforcement, is underway. A key focus of this investigation is how the weapon was brought onto campus, particularly as the school does not employ metal detectors but relies on protocols for searching students under certain suspicions.
Following the incident, the school canceled classes and after-school activities, offering time for students, families, and staff to process and grieve. Counseling services have been made available, and the district’s crisis team will provide ongoing support. Dr. Taylor expressed deep condolences to the family and friends of Delvin Ferrell, highlighting the profound impact of the event on the entire school community.
