DORCHESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - A student was stabbed by another student at Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester earlier this morning, Boston Police said.
Boston Police were called to the high school at about 11 a.m. on the third day of school. Police said the person responsible for the stabbing left the scene by the time officers arrived at the school. Police said an 18-year-old student was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to the back and shoulder.
Officials have not yet released information on where exactly the stabbing took place, whether these students were involved with one another or the motive could be. Some undercover cops could be seen entering the building as the investigation remains ongoing.
“It just made me wonder, like, was it my kid? ‘Cuz I didn’t hear anything,” Dede Diggs, a parent of a student at the school said. “I tried calling him and he didn’t pick up, so that worried me.”
She then rushed to the school to pick up her son, a sophomore. Once they were reunited, he filled her in.
Cayen Diggs said a student chased another student and stabbed him.
“I thought it was just a fight,” he said.
Another mother shared a letter she got from the school district explaining that the stabbing happened in a hallway shortly before lunch.
“I did call the school once I got the email, and they did tell me all the kids were safe, but since they didn’t ask me what my son’s name is I still was not sure, so that’s why I decided to come and pick him up,” said Burke parent Yessenia Molina.
Burke sophomore Jariel Rivera said teachers told students to stay inside their classrooms and to avoid the second floor of the school.
School continued through the day.
Still, the fact that the stabbing happened so early in the school year has parents worried for their children’s safety.
“I just pray to God every day he does stay safe,” Molina said.
“The safety and security of our students and staff are the top priority for Boston Public Schools,” BPS said in a statement. “Violence has no place in our school communities. BPS thanks the school staff and public safety officials who immediately responded to today’s incident at the Burke High School. While the investigation is ongoing, the district will continue to support students and staff in the days and weeks to come.”
BPS added that the district conducts safety drills throughout the year “to ensure our students and staff are prepared for incidents like this,” and also have safety officers in the building.
Counselors and other resources will be available for students and staff who may need them.
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