A New Jersey high school was placed into lockdown after a student allegedly stabbed another classmate following an altercation on Tuesday, April 8. The unnamed victim remains in critical albeit stable condition. The suspect, a 16-year-old, was taken into custody.
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According to a Bergen County Prosecutor's Office press release shared with PEOPLE, the incident took place at around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Fort Lee High School. A police officer who was assigned to the high school issued an emergency radio call following the stabbing. Fort Lee High School was immediately placed on lockdown, as per the
Fort Lee Police Department.At that very same moment, the officer and other school staff provided first aid to the victim. Police immediately got in contact with School Superintendent Robert Kravitz. Kravitz posted a message on social media, which was shared by
Senator Holly Schepisi."At this time, there is no immediate threat to the safety of our school community," Kravitz wrote. "We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. Due to the incident, all roads leading to and from Fort Lee High School are closed. Please do not report to the school."
Altercation
The prosecutor's office press release detailed that the male victim had been stabbed multiple times. Reportedly, an altercation in one of the school's bathrooms broke out between the two. "The victim was stabbed in the neck, abdomen, back, and arm, causing serious injuries," the press release reads.
Fortunately, the victim managed to survive the incident and was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment. The suspect, a 16-year-old male student, was apprehended and transferred to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center.
According to the prosecutor's office press release, the suspect, who remains in custody, was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. The suspect will make an appearance in a hearing in Bergen County Superior Court, Family Law Division, as per PEOPLE.
Once the investigations were completed, the lockdown was lifted at Fort Lee High School on Tuesday afternoon. Students were dismissed early.
"Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an extra police presence in and around the High School tomorrow," the police department wrote. "However, there is no further threat that we are aware of at this time, and no other suspects are being sought."
