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Multiple stabbings at Pennsylvania school before police arrest suspect Multiple stabbings at Pennsylvania school before police arrest suspect
(5 months later)
A 16-year-old student embarked on a stabbing spree at his Pennsylvania high school on Wednesday that left 20 people injured before he was apprehended by staff.A 16-year-old student embarked on a stabbing spree at his Pennsylvania high school on Wednesday that left 20 people injured before he was apprehended by staff.
According to police, the suspect brandished two 8-10 inch knives in the attack, and apparently slashed fellow students at random. Officials said 19 students and a school police officer were injured.According to police, the suspect brandished two 8-10 inch knives in the attack, and apparently slashed fellow students at random. Officials said 19 students and a school police officer were injured.
Emergency officials said the student, a 16-year-old sophomore, was taken into custody after the incident at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, about 15 miles from Pittsburgh. He was subdued by the school police officer and an assistant principal.Emergency officials said the student, a 16-year-old sophomore, was taken into custody after the incident at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, about 15 miles from Pittsburgh. He was subdued by the school police officer and an assistant principal.
Thomas Seefeld, the Murrysville police chief, said that the suspect walked down the school’s hallway “flashing two knives around”. He said that many victims were found in the ground floor hallway and on the grass outside the school. “We have a crime scene that is pretty vast,” said Seefeld. Thomas Seefeld, the Murrysville police chief, said that the suspect walked down the school’s hallway “flashing two knives around”. He said that many victims were found in the ground floor hallway and on the grass outside the school. “We have a crime scene that is pretty vast,” said Seefeld.
Seefeld said investigators were looking into reports that a threatening phone call took place between the suspect and another student on Tuesday night.Seefeld said investigators were looking into reports that a threatening phone call took place between the suspect and another student on Tuesday night.
The attack took place as students were arriving for the start of the school day. One of the students pulled a fire alarm after witnessing some of the stabbings. Seefeld said that although the alarm led to chaotic scenes, it meant that students rushed out of the building to safety faster than might otherwise have happened. The attack took place as students were arriving for the start of the school day. One of the students pulled a fire alarm after witnessing some of the stabbings. Seefeld said that although the alarm led to chaotic scenes, it meant that students rushed out of the building to safety faster than might otherwise have happened.
Eight students, all male, were taken to Forbes hospital, according to Dr Mark Rubino, the chief medical officer. Rubino said many of the injuries were similar: “Most were to the right lower abdomen and the right flank,” he said. Eight students, all male, were taken to Forbes hospital, according to Dr Mark Rubino, the chief medical officer. Rubino said many of the injuries were similar: “Most were to the right lower abdomen and the right flank,” he said.
Three of the students at Forbes hospital were in surgery on Wednesday, and two were in a critical condition. “Two of them have relatively significant injuries to their abdominal organs,” said Rubino.Three of the students at Forbes hospital were in surgery on Wednesday, and two were in a critical condition. “Two of them have relatively significant injuries to their abdominal organs,” said Rubino.
Dr Chris Kaufmann, director of the trauma center at Forbes, said the injuries were “quite serious, they’re not superficial in nature” and that several had the potential to be life threatening, although all were expected to survive.The youngest victim at the hospital was 15, he said. Dr Chris Kaufmann, director of the trauma center at Forbes, said the injuries were “quite serious, they’re not superficial in nature” and that several had the potential to be life threatening, although all were expected to survive.The youngest victim at the hospital was 15, he said.
Four hospitals affiliated to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center received 12 victims, and five remained in hospital by Wednesday afternoon, according to UPMC officials. . Three of the patients were 17, one was 16 and the other 14.Four hospitals affiliated to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center received 12 victims, and five remained in hospital by Wednesday afternoon, according to UPMC officials. . Three of the patients were 17, one was 16 and the other 14.
Hospital officials said one of the 17-year-old’s has a single life-threatening stab wound to the side of his torso, millimeters from his heart. He also has injuries to his liver, diaphragm and major blood vessels. “Fortunately for this young man, the knife missed his heart and aorta,” said Louis Alarcon, a surgeon at UPMC.Hospital officials said one of the 17-year-old’s has a single life-threatening stab wound to the side of his torso, millimeters from his heart. He also has injuries to his liver, diaphragm and major blood vessels. “Fortunately for this young man, the knife missed his heart and aorta,” said Louis Alarcon, a surgeon at UPMC.
Alarcon said the victim is in critical condition and on life support. “We are very hopeful he will make it through this,” Alarcon said.Alarcon said the victim is in critical condition and on life support. “We are very hopeful he will make it through this,” Alarcon said.
Dan Stevens, Westmoreland county emergency management spokesman, said not all of the 20 victims suffered knife injuries – some had suffered scrapes and cuts in the mayhem that followed the attack.Dan Stevens, Westmoreland county emergency management spokesman, said not all of the 20 victims suffered knife injuries – some had suffered scrapes and cuts in the mayhem that followed the attack.
Stevens said Murrysville was a low-crime area and that the school had recently undergone emergency training. “You can plan for these things, you’re just never prepared for them,” said Stevens.Stevens said Murrysville was a low-crime area and that the school had recently undergone emergency training. “You can plan for these things, you’re just never prepared for them,” said Stevens.
The school was on lockdown after reports of the incident came in at 7:20am. The school said on its website: “A critical incident has occurred at the high school. All elementary schools are canceled, the middle school and high school students are secure."The school was on lockdown after reports of the incident came in at 7:20am. The school said on its website: “A critical incident has occurred at the high school. All elementary schools are canceled, the middle school and high school students are secure."
In a statement, Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett said: “I was shocked and saddened upon learning of the events that occurred this morning as students arrived at Franklin Regional High School. As a parent and grandparent, I can think of nothing more distressing than senseless violence against children. My heart and prayers go out to all the victims and their families.In a statement, Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett said: “I was shocked and saddened upon learning of the events that occurred this morning as students arrived at Franklin Regional High School. As a parent and grandparent, I can think of nothing more distressing than senseless violence against children. My heart and prayers go out to all the victims and their families.
“I have directed the Pennsylvania State Police to assist local law enforcement in its investigation in any way possible. Other state resources will be made available to the community, if needed. I assure the citizens of Murrysville that they have the full support of my administration.”“I have directed the Pennsylvania State Police to assist local law enforcement in its investigation in any way possible. Other state resources will be made available to the community, if needed. I assure the citizens of Murrysville that they have the full support of my administration.”
#BREAKING: As many as 6 people stabbed at Franklin Regional High School. LIVE COVERAGE: http://t.co/Xa7YQxzDne pic.twitter.com/n9haz0nGKo#BREAKING: As many as 6 people stabbed at Franklin Regional High School. LIVE COVERAGE: http://t.co/Xa7YQxzDne pic.twitter.com/n9haz0nGKo
District Attorney John Peck said the suspect, who has been identified by local news outlet KDKA as Alex Hribal, will likely be tried as an adult. Officials speaking at a press conference on Wednesday night said they could not confirm his name because of juvenile protection laws.District Attorney John Peck said the suspect, who has been identified by local news outlet KDKA as Alex Hribal, will likely be tried as an adult. Officials speaking at a press conference on Wednesday night said they could not confirm his name because of juvenile protection laws.
The Associated Press contributed to this reportThe Associated Press contributed to this report