Students released after stabbing

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A spokesperson for the Fort Wayne Police Department said a student stabbed another student at Concordia Lutheran High School Wednesday morning. 

Police were called to the high school at 1601 St. Joe River Drive at 11:40 a.m. The school was put on lockdown until about 2 o'clock when students were released early for the day.

Michael Joyner of the Fort Wayne Police Department said earlier this week a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old were involved in an argument. Wednesday, the 14-year-old went into the cafeteria and stabbed the 17-year-old student in the neck with a large knife as he sat at a lunch table.

Then, the victim ran out of cafeteria while the 14-year-old chased after him. A teacher eventually subdued the 14-year-old.

"He was screaming and there was blood everywhere and he got up and ran out of the lunchroom," said student, Linsey Floyd.

School officials immediately put the school of about 700 students on lockdown.

Student Rachel Grim was in religion class when it all happened.

"It was kind of surreal at first. We didn't really know what's going on, but we kept getting more information and then realized how serious it's becoming," said Grim.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he remains in serious condition. The 14-year-old is being detained by authorities.

Information flew between many students and parents via cell phone. Parent Paula Nakos heard about it at the grocery store check out. Nakos said she was worried about her freshman son's safety when she heard what happened.

"[I was] worried about everybody's children! You don't know who it is... My heart goes out to both parents [of the students involved," said Nakos.

Principal Terry Breininger said this was the first instance of student violence in the school's history. Breininger said he was pleased with how staff reacted to the situation, and that all safety procedures were put into place successfully following the stabbing.

"This is out of character for both of [the students involved]. Both of them are very good students," said Breininger.

The cafeteria attacker is now facing a preliminary charge of felony battery. Meanwhile, the 17-year old victim is still in serious condition Thursday.

The following statement was issued by Concordia Lutheran High School:

At approximately 11:30 at Concordia Lutheran High School one student cut another student. Emergency procedures were immediately put into place and worked properly. It was an isolated incident between those two students. The student cut was taken to the hospital…the other student is in police custody. All other students were safe in their classrooms with their teachers the entire time following emergency procedures. Students were released from school early, but all afternoon and evening activities will continue as normal and school will continue as regularly scheduled tomorrow.