A student died at a Northern California high school after a fight between three students erupted, resulting in a death after one of the students stabbed another while classmates looked on.
The cause of the fight is being investigated by police. In connection with the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old junior student inside an art classroom at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, police arrested a 15-year-old freshman for homicide, attempted homicide, and possessing a weapon on school grounds. The attack also injured a 16-year-old junior student.
The incident shocked the Santa Rosa community and resulted in nearby school lockdowns as law enforcement officers searched for the suspect.
Principal Adam Paulson announced that the school would be closed for the week and described the incident as the “darkest day” in the school’s history.
Jayden Jess Pienta, 16, was identified as the deceased victim by Santa Rosa Police. Tom Lenwell, Pienta’s stepfather, said he was in shock and traumatized because he would never see his stepson again.
Santa Rosa Police Department Sergeant Christopher Mahurin said on Thursday that detectives would question the students, teacher, and teacher’s aides who were in the classroom at the time of the incident. He noted that police officers would be present at the school when it reopens next Monday.
Most parents were shocked by the brutal killing and are concerned about how the school district will keep their children safe.
A parent at the school, Libby Dalton, said there were safety concerns after a student brought a gun to school last year.
According to police, the fight started when two junior students stormed into the art class and began fighting with the freshman. Teachers intervened to break up the fight, but the freshman allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the 16-year-old boys.
Sergeant Mahurin stated that they had not yet determined what caused the brawl, but the three students had previously fought.
Dalton claimed that there were frequent fights among students and that the school district did nothing to stop the fighting.
