A 14-year-old girl is fatally stabbed at school. The suspect? Another 14-year-old girl.
The victim, who suffered from a stab wound, succumbed to her injuries on Monday, police said.
A Texas middle schooler was taken into juvenile custody on Monday after getting into a heated dispute that resulted in the death of another student, police said.
The 14-year-old girl was arrested following the incident, which happened just before 11:30 a.m., at Roy J. Smith Middle School in Killeen, a city about 74 miles from Austin.
According to the local police department, officers discovered the girl, also 14, "suffering from a stab wound."
She was taken to the hospital and died from her injuries. Authorities have opened an investigation. Preliminary details suggest that the altercation between both classmates led one to stab the other.
"We recognize the emotional impact of this incident on the victim’s family, students, staff, and the entire Killeen community," Killeen police said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we extend our support to those in need."
The names of the suspect and victim were not released publicly because they are minors.
School goes on lockdown, classes suspended
Killeen Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey said the incident caused the school campus to lock down. More than 1,000 students were then taken to a local church for a unification process.
"It is times like this that our community's strength and support for one another are what will guide us forward," Fey said.
The district announced on Monday afternoon that classes for Roy J. Smith Middle School students will be suspended until after spring break on March 24. Support services will be available to the children and staff upon their return.
A parent of a student who attends the school told a local news outlet that she's now considering homeschooling her children.
“I knew the situation was dire," Renee Calzado said during an interview with KWTX. "My main concern was my children and the family members I have that work at the school."
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for Paste BN. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.