Suspect detained after student stabbed at northern Arizona high school

FORT DEFIANCE, AZ (AZFamily) — A student is hospitalized, and a suspect has been detained after a stabbing at a high school in northern Arizona.

It happened on Friday morning at Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance. That’s on the Navajo Nation near the New Mexico border.

In a statement posted on social media, district superintendent Dr. Shannon Goodsell said a teen was stabbed during a fight with another student in the boy’s bathroom. The injured student’s current condition is unknown.

The superintendent added that the suspect is in police custody pending formal charges and is also facing hearings “in accordance with school district policy.”

The school has been placed on a soft lockdown that will continue until the end of the school day. Police say there are no active threats, and parents can check their children out of school for the day if they choose.

The department added that this incident has no connection with recent school threats. Other information was not immediately available.

See the superintendent’s full statement below:

Sadly, an aggressive act occurred on 9/27/24 at Window Rock High School during an altercation that happened between students in the boy’s bathroom. The student who engaged in the aggressive act was apprehended and is currently in NNPD custody, awaiting formal charges. The student is also subject to WRUSD due process hearings in accordance with school district policy. The injured student was transported to the hospital and their medical needs were addressed.

The Window Rock Unified School District treats all acts of violence or aggression against any student or staff member as serious as we pride ourselves in providing a safe learning environment for students. We would like to give special thanks to the NNPD and all First Responders for their immediate response to WRHS. When we sounded the alarm they came quickly, and in full force to ensure the safety of all students. Excellent Job!

Window Rock High School diligently followed all safety procedures and protocols once the incident was discovered. Upon the conclusion of the school day, all relevant security team members, school administration and NNPD will debrief the incident outlining the safety processes, procedures and protocols followed and discussion ways that we can improve upon the actions taken today.

WRHS would also like to thank our students, their patience and assistance today was excellent as they helped the NNPD conduct their investigations that led to a positive outcome resulting from a bad incident. Today our students showed the true meaning of Scouts Pride! Thank you, parents, for your patience and understanding as NNPD conducted their investigations that led to the conclusion of today’s events.

As the Superintendent of the Window Rock Unified School District, I am constantly reminded at how AWESOME our students and staff are at managing difficult situations. How they handled today made me very proud. Go Scouts!

Ahxehee’

Dr. Shannon Goodsell

Superintendent of Schools

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