According to a news release from the Arizona Department of Education, one student was fatally stabbed after a classroom fight escalated at Maryvale High School in Phoenix on Tuesday, August 19.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, officers and fire crews arrived at the high school just before 11 a.m. local time. It is unclear whether the two teenagers knew each other and what prompted the fight.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said in a statement that the school’s safety officer responded quickly and “rendered aid to the student.”
Both students were taken to the hospital. One of the teenagers succumbed to his severe injuries and died. The other student received non-life-threatening injuries.
A Phoenix Union High School District spokesperson told AZ Family that the school was placed on active lockdown following the incident. Following the incident, all other students and faculty were safe.
The investigation is ongoing.
“A student died as a result of a stabbing at Maryvale High School, which is a terrible tragedy. “Schools must be safe places,” Horne stated. “This terrible incident reinforces my commitment to doing everything possible to make schools safe.”
Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado also released a statement following the teen’s death.
“I am heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the violent incident that occurred today at Maryvale High School. “My thoughts are with the student who was injured, their family, and the entire school community as they process this traumatic event,” she wrote, according to Fox 10.
“Classrooms should provide a safe environment for all students. As a mother and community representative, I want all students to feel safe at school. Our community is united in its support, and I am committed to collaborating with the school district, community, and Phoenix Police to ensure their safety.
The school, which serves 2,850 students, already has metal detectors and a school security officer. “Neither prevented the tragedy. These measures gave the appearance of security, but they are not what our community truly requires,” councilwoman Anna Hernandez said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Hernandez indicated that her office “will continue to push Phoenix City Council and Phoenix Union School District to redirect funding away from surveillance-heavy responses and toward mental health services, school counselors, peer support networks, and preventative care.”
Councilwoman Laura Pastor expressed her outrage in a statement to PEOPLE. She expressed her “deepest sorrow and condolences to the family who lost their son in this tragic accident,” but also stated, “I am angry.” I’m outraged that this happened at a school, which is supposed to be a safe space for learning, growth, and support.”
Pastor stated that “safety is a top priority,” and she will “support efforts to enhance safety measures in our schools” to help prevent another tragedy.
Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington also expressed her condolences before urging the community to come together.
“No parent should have to go through the pain of losing a child in this manner, and no student should ever feel unsafe in a classroom,” Washington said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
On Tuesday, representatives from the Phoenix Police Department and Phoenix Union High School District did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional information.
