Three high school students were stabbed in broad daylight at a basketball court in Boston, Massachusetts. A fourth student has been arrested in connection with the stabbing.
The incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Monday at Keith Love Field, off Washington Street, about a block away from TechBoston Academy in Dorchester. According to officials, the stabbing happened outside the school, NBC Boston reported.
All three victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to survive, Boston Police Department confirmed. The identities of the victims and the suspect have not been released.
Witnesses said the kids were involved in a fight outside the basketball court near the school right before the stabbing occurred, according to WCVB.
Surveillance footage from a nearby grocery store reportedly showed several kids running away from the court. The owner said the children appeared terrified as they took refuge inside the store.
Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper called the stabbing “incredibly tragic.”
“National and State statistics all remind us of how much our students are hurting,” Skipper said, as per CBS News. “Right now, our focus is on all of the students involved, supporting them and their families, and the school’s students and staff.”
TechBoston Academy principal Patrick Cleary issued a letter to the school community, noting the stabbing took place right after the dismissal of the classes.
“This afternoon after dismissal, a physical altercation took place near the school at a nearby basketball court. Three individuals were stabbed and transported to a local hospital for further medical care and at least one arrest was made,” Cleary wrote in the letter. “School staff and BPS Safety Services noticed the commotion and immediately called 911. District psychologists and social workers will be onsite tomorrow.”
Residents in the area also expressed concerns over the ongoing issue of violence involving school kids.
“Every other week something happens,” said store owner Humayan Morshee told CBS. “So, it’s not the first time, it’s not going to be the last time either. The school and police have to do something.”
Cesar Perry, who lives in the area, called on authorities to step in and pay more support to children and “be able to be there for them so they know what they need to do when they’re in confrontational situations.”