Everything we know about the deadly student stabbing at North Forsyth High School
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — An argument between two students at North Forsyth High School turned deadly Tuesday morning.
This is what we know so far.
Student dispute turns deadly
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools started classes Tuesday morning with a two-hour delay due to winter weather, and the first bell rang at 10:55 a.m. in North Forsyth. The fatal stabbing occurred a few minutes later.
Tuesday morning, A large law enforcement and EMS presence was seen at the school. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said the SRO in North Forsyth “sent out a communication that all hands were on deck” around 11:04 a.m.
Kimbrough confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that there was “loss of life” as a result of “an argument between two students.” Kimbrough shared another statement confirming that a stabbing occurred Tuesday night.
Winston-Salem Police Department Chief William Penn also said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that this was a “dark day for our city.” He also criticized people for allegedly sharing video of the fatal stabbing online, urging people to “please consider the insensitive nature of what you are doing. Now is not the time to get carried away by the chase.”
Newly sworn-in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Don Phipps spoke at a press conference Tuesday afternoon and confirmed that North Forsyth will be closed to students Wednesday due to the fatal stabbing. A crisis team will be at the scene.
“This day is any educator’s worst nightmare,” Phipps said. “When our students are hurt, we are hurt, and that is probably the greatest pain we can ever feel.”
Phipps was scheduled to speak at a local church at noon Tuesday. However, these plans were changed due to the knife attack.
Phipps also reached out to families in North Forsyth in an email Tuesday afternoon. “Violence has no place in our schools,” he said in part. “We urge our community to surround our students and staff with kindness and care at this time.
The WS/FCS Board of Education was scheduled to meet Tuesday evening and is being rescheduled.
The name of the slain student or anyone involved has not yet been released by investigators. However, it was stated that the families of those involved in the incident were informed and there was no danger to the society.
It was not immediately clear whether a gun detection system was used in North Forsyth Tuesday morning. It is also unknown what type of weapon was used in the stabbing.
public reaction
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein He called the stabbing “shocking” and “horrific” and said he was praying for the students and their loved ones.
Kimbrough asked for prayers for the families and the community, calling it “another sad day in Forsyth County” and describing the NFHS SRO’s call to the sheriff’s office.
“On behalf of the City of Winston-Salem, I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the North Forsyth High School community during this time of immeasurable loss,” said Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines.
On Tuesday evening, Kimbrough shared a statement on social media, urging parents to talk to their children and love them. He also asked for prayers for the community again.
“We are all suffering. I need your prayers. The school system needs your prayers. The students at North Forsyth need your prayers. There is a family right now whose child would be on the bus on the way home, but not him. He died in a stabbing at school,” Kimbrough said.
NFHS parents picked up their children from the reunion site after the stabbing.
Hilda Foster, the grandparents of an NFHS student, spoke to FOX8 as students and parents reunited.
“It was devastating to have something like this happen today,” he said. “It’s so sad that we’ve come to this point. I hate the way the world is. I really hate it. I hope we can all come together with unity and great faith.”
Foster said she called her grandchild’s mother and was frightened when she heard people screaming at the school.
“This is not something you want to hear from your child at school,” Foster said.
He advised parents to talk to their children and listen to them.
Students were bused from campus to the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to be safely reunited with their parents.
While students waited inside the stadium, parents lined up outside. Parents were given reunion forms to fill out and were required to show photo identification to be reunited with their children.
Many parents say the hours following the incident were scary and frustrating.
“It was scary. One of the things he did was reassure me that he was safe. I think the scariest part is the kids sitting around what happened and the video of what happened and the trauma that they will continue to feel seeing that video here and people talking about it is very, very traumatic,” said parent Ebony Berry.
One mother said that not only was her son not at school at the time, but her husband was also working there and she called him early that morning and asked him to pray.
He described the fear and uncertainty that comes with waiting for updates; She said it was hard not knowing what was going on or when she would hear from her son or husband.
“I definitely think there needs to be some therapy sessions. More than just a counselor coming in. They’re all going to need some therapy and some counseling,” said Crystal Hopper, a parent.
Parents and students reunited at the stadium ahead of Tuesday evening. Many embraced after a long and emotional day.
“The hardest part was standing there waiting for him. I just had to keep my eyes on him to make sure he was okay because as kids they don’t process things the same way as we do… Putting my arms around him made all the difference,” Hopper said.
Many parents worry about the heartache their students now have.
“I’m so upset right now because my son knows who they are. I’m hurt right now. I’m hurt. All I know is I hope grief counselors are there for the rest of the school year for these students. School just started this morning and these students are going to need a lot of support right now,” said Tracy Russell, a parent.
“These are two kids who did a very bad thing. I don’t think it reflects on everybody in the school, the building, all the students, all the faculty. I don’t think it’s a direct reflection on them. But right now, I don’t feel safe,” parent Wayne Graham said.
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