Pa. students to use clear backpacks in wake of stabbings

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Franklin Regional High School, where a teenager is accused of stabbing over 20 fellow students and a security guard, is changing its school backpack procedure in light of the recent attack, reports CBS Pittsburgh.

The station reports that, while students will still be permitted to carry regular backpacks to and from the school, carrying belongings from class-to-class will require the use of new, clear bags. The see-through backpacks - which all read "FR Strong" - were distributed Monday by the Murrysville school, located 15 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Sixteen-year-old Alex Hribal, charged as an adult with 21 counts of attempted murder for allegedly carrying out the April 9 attack, remains at a Westmoreland County juvenile detention center, according to the station. He is expected in court on June 4.

School officials said the bags, funded by long-time car dealership #1 Cochran in Monroeville, are designed to give students peace of mind while they recover from the traumatic incident.

"Our goal with [the backpacks] is to give an added sense of safety and security," said Mary Catherine Reljac, Assistant Superintendent of the Franklin Regional School District.

Two students remain hospitalized as a result of the mass stabbings.