The Raleigh police chief confirmed a fatal stabbing incident at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old student and injuries to a 15-year-old student. The incident occurred during a large fight at the school on Monday, prompting a Code Red Lockdown with classes canceled for Tuesday. A 14-year-old boy, a student at the school, was apprehended and charged in connection with the stabbing.
The disturbance began around 11 a.m. when a school resource officer reported a student being stabbed in the gym. Upon arriving at the scene, the police found two students with stab wounds. They were transported to a local hospital, where one student succumbed to injuries, while the other, aged 15, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Concerned family members, including Jayden Bellamy, anxiously awaited information outside the school. Aniyah Bellamy, an 11th-grade student, expressed her shock and devastation, emphasizing the school as a place where children should feel safe.
As the community grapples with the tragic incident, classes for Tuesday were canceled, and the school went into lockdown. The 14-year-old suspect, also a student, was taken into custody and charged with murder on a juvenile petition. Raleigh police, in collaboration with Wake County Public School officials, continue their investigation.
Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson conveyed condolences, stating, “We continue to pray for all impacted by this tragic incident as we begin to heal as a community.” Wake County Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor pledged to review safety procedures across the county, emphasizing the need for schools to be a safe haven.
The tragic incident has prompted concerns about school safety, with Aniyah Bellamy expressing apprehension about the days ahead. The school district reports an increase in violence since the COVID-19 pandemic, with Wake County students committing 548 acts of assault or weapon possession in the 2021-22 school year, double the number from the pre-pandemic year.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, Wake County Public School officials are set to assess safety protocols. The school closure on Tuesday is accompanied by assurances of counseling and support services for students and staff dealing with the emotional impact of the incident.