NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A middle school student was stabbed this morning shortly after 8 a.m. on Tocci Field at Trinity Place near the Isaac E. Young Middle School.
An eigth grade male student, age 13, stabbed another eight grade male student, 14, in the chest, according to New Rochelle police.
The New Rochelle Police Department said the victim’s injuries were not life threatening.
The two students had attended an “Open-Morning” program at the school but left before the school day began, according to Isaac Young Principal Anthony Bongo. The suspect returned to school after the stabbing where he was taken to the school security office where police took the student into custody.
The weapon was an edge-instrument but not a knife, possibily a razor or boxcutter, according one school official with a knowledge of the case.
The stabbing incident occurred on Tocci Field on Trinity Place. The victim dropped his book bag and walked down to Trinity Place to 260 Centre Avenue where he flagged down an NRPD Community Service Officer who immediately called for back up and paramedics. Students reported seeing the victim covered in blood. The victim was transported to Jacobi Medical Center. The school was placed on lockdown and lockout as police responded to the scene. Police canvassed the neighborhood looking for the alleged assailant but the suspect was already back inside the building.
Some parents came to the school to take their children home for the day.
Principal Anthony Bongo said that counselors would be on hand to help students.
Tocci Field is school district property, the original site of Trinity School. The property was made available to the New Rochelle LIttle League many years ago. While the New Rochelle Board of Education owns the property, the New Rochelle LIttle League maintains the property and owns the house located on the property.
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UPDATE 8:45 AM: Police reporting they have a suspect in custody. Student in security office, admitted to stabbing, according to police.
UPDATE 9:02 AM: Suspect in stabbing incident being transported to NRPD HQ
UPDATE 9:07 PM: every media outlet in the area is sending reporters to the scene, kids and parents are bring swarmed by media scrum, one child driven to tears by aggressive questioning from reporters.
UPDATE 10:05 PM: Isaac Young Principal Anthony Bongo addresses media outside school, told student stabbed in chest would be fine (video: https://youtu.be/UBgA1OtNJ20).
UPDATE 10:31 PM: New Rochelle Police Department issues statement:
“On May 4, 2016, at approximately 8:23 am, the New Rochelle Police Department responded to the area of Isaac E. Young Middle School, 270 Centre Ave, on a report of a student who had been stabbed. Upon arrival officers located a 14 year old male student who appeared to have been stabbed in his torso. He was treated by ambulance personnel and transported to an area hospital. It appears that his injuries are not life threatening. Although it is early in the investigation it appears that another student, a 13 year old male, is the suspect in this incident. He is in the custody of our Youth Officers and the investigation ongoing. As of this time the weapon has not been recovered. The incident occurred away from the school while the students were walking to school, not on school grounds Due to the ages of the victim and suspect we will not be releasing their identities. This investigation is active, and no further information is available at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed or has information relative to the investigation is urged to call the New Rochelle Police Department’s Youth Office, 914-654-2318.
UPDATE 11:45 PM: City School District of New Rochelle issues statement:
“An altercation involving a stabbing occurred this morning a block away from Isaac E. Young Middle School on Trinity Place. The incident involved two eighth-grade male students before the start of the school day. The victim is currently being treated at Jacobi Medical Center. The New Rochelle Police Department released a statement saying that it appears that his injuries are not life threatening As a safety precaution, the school was placed on lockout this morning while the suspect – who had returned to the school – was apprehended and turned over to the New Rochelle Police Department. The lockout was lifted shortly after 9 a.m. The City School District of New Rochelle is fully cooperating with the investigation, which is ongoing.”
UPDATE 11:52 PM: Isaac E. Young Middile School issues statement:
“An incident occurred today about a block away from Isaac Young Middle School on Trinity Place. The incident involved two eighth-grade male students before the start of the school day. The students had attended an Open-Morning program at the school but left before the school day began. The altercation involved a stabbing. The victim is currently being treated at Jacobi Medical Center. Preliminary reports suggest he will make a full recovery. As a safety precaution the school was placed on lockout and lockdown this morning while the suspect, who had returned to school, was apprehended and turned over to the New Rochelle Police Department. The lochout and lockdown was lifter shortly before 9 a.m. The City School District of New Rochelle is fully cooperating with all investigations, which are ongoing. The school day has resumed and all our students are safe and secure.”
UPDATE 2:52 PM: New Rochelle Police Department issues 2nd statement:
“The suspect has been charged as a juvenile delinquent with Assault 2nd degree. He was released to the custody of his mother and is due to appear in Family Court later this week. As of this time the knife used in the assault has not been located.”
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