Student arrested following stabbing at Gorton High School in Yonkers
YONKERS, N.Y. -- A student was arrested following a stabbing Thursday morning inside a school in Yonkers.
Officials at Gorton High School said a 14-year-old freshman brought a knife onto the campus and used it during a fight with a 17-year-old senior. The victim is said to be in stable condition and the school is in active communication the victim's family.
Police said it is unclear what led up to the stabbing, but what is clear is parents were very upset about the incident and many were seen picking up their kids early.
"I just got a phone call from my daughter. She was hysterical, telling me someone got stabbed in the school," parent Tonita Walker said.
Walker said she immediately drove to the school to take her daughter out early.
"After what happened, they don't need to be in there sitting," Walker said.
"I just wanted to take him home to be safe," Mario Maldonado added.
"I feel like security guards can do a better job"
The school was temporarily placed on lockdown, but later resumed normal activities, officials said, adding there was no active threat against anyone and that the stabbing was an isolated incident. But by the end of the day, students say most had gone home early.
Some younger students spoke to CBS News New York with permission from their parents.
"I guess I was kind of scared, because, like I said, you never know who has a knife on them," freshman Ayleen Equino said.
"I feel like the security guards can do a better job, and make sure kids don't have weapons on them," freshman Brandon Thomas added.
Gorton High School has metal detectors
Frank Hernandez, an associate superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools, said there are metal detectors at Gorton High and random searches are conducted, but officials are still trying to figure out how the student got the knife inside.
"Safety and security is our highest priority in Yonkers Public Schools," Hernandez said. "We are doing all that we can to review our safety policy and procedures and ensure we enhance them."
Since the suspect is a minor, school officials couldn't say what punishment he will face, but there is a criminal investigation.
