Five students and a security guard were injured in a stabbing incident at a high school in Tacoma, Washington, on the afternoon of April 30, in what authorities described as an altercation that escalated into violence.
Police responded shortly after 1.30pm local time to reports of an “active assault” at Foss High School. Emergency services confirmed that multiple victims were found with stab wounds upon arrival at the scene.
According to Tacoma Fire Department spokesperson Chelsea Sheperd, four students were initially reported to be in critical condition. However, authorities later confirmed that all injured individuals were stabilised by 4pm local time.
Tacoma Police Department spokesperson Officer Shelbie Boyd said a security guard and another student, identified as the suspected attacker, were also injured during the incident. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to hospital.
Officials said the stabbing occurred on school grounds, although it remains unclear whether it took place inside or outside the building. Emergency responders reportedly found one injured person outside the school before assisting others inside the premises.
Healthcare provider MultiCare confirmed that two hospitals received patients linked to the incident, though it declined to provide further details on their conditions.
A school spokesperson stated that the campus was placed under lockdown following the incident, and parents were notified if their children were involved. Students were later allowed to be picked up, and classes were cancelled for May 1.
Authorities also noted that Foss High School has experienced past violence, including a fatal shooting in 2007 involving two students, which resulted in a murder conviction and a lengthy prison sentence.
