Student Stabbed To Death, Another Injured As Fight Breaks Out In High School

A fight broke out at a high school in Jacksonville, North Carolina, leaving one student fatally stabbed and another injured.

The incident took place Thursday, just four days after the Northside High School opened its doors to students for the new school year, AP News reported. The incident also resulted in a teacher being injured.

A physical altercation took place in one of the common areas of the school at around 7 a.m., officials said. Two minors were stabbed in front of their fellow students during the scuffle.

A teacher at the scene also suffered injuries but not from being stabbed. A school resource officer arrived within less than a minute of being alerted about the incident, according to WITN.

"The school resource officer who was on campus rapidly responded to the scene, with the first SRO arriving within 20 seconds and he was able to take someone in custody," Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero said in a press conference.

Both the stabbed students were taken to the hospital, where one of them succumbed to injuries and the other received treatment. The teacher was given medical attention on the school premises.

Three teenagers were arrested by the end of the day and charged as juveniles for the stabbing, officials said.

One boy, aged 16, was charged with voluntary manslaughter, possession of a weapon on school property, assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a school official.

The two other boys, aged 15 and 16, are facing charges of assault and disorderly conduct on school property.

Following a lockdown that lasted till 8:45 a.m., the school began the process of releasing students to their parents.

Onslow County Schools superintendent Dr. Barry Collins said at a press conference that students will have their Friday classes virtually, and in-person classes will resume at the school Tuesday.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper acknowledged the incident on Facebook and wrote, "I have spoken with Jacksonville Police Chief Yaniero and offered state assistance in addition to the SBI to help with the aftermath of this tragedy. Our prayers are with all the students, educators, families and the community."

A parent, Melissa Brison Mack, said she "panicked" when she found out about the stabbing that took place at the high school, where three of her six children are enrolled.

Mack said her children, who study in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, arrived at the school as the incident unfolded about 15 minutes before their classes were supposed to start.

"They were arriving as the chaos happened and luckily didn't witness what happened," Mack told CNN.

"My oldest hunkered down in a friend's car in the school parking lot and my younger two waited in the parking lot until they were instructed to head to the cafeteria for lockdown."

"I'm so happy they are safe but I'm not even sure how to tell them to protect themselves at school," the worried mother said.