2 Students and Teacher Stabbed at Middle School as Student Suspect Is Detained

2 Students and Teacher Stabbed at Missouri Middle School as Student Suspect Is Detained

A Missouri middle school remained closed Friday after a student allegedly stabbed a teacher and two classmates, sending one child to a hospital by helicopter and forcing classrooms into lockdown.

The attack happened shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, November 12, at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton, about 60 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis. Police said the student suspect left the building but was taken into custody without incident shortly afterward.

Warren County School District Superintendent Gregg Klinginsmith told First Alert 4 that the violence began immediately after a teacher let the student into a classroom. The student allegedly attacked the teacher and then two other students before running outside.

One injured student was flown to a St. Louis children’s hospital, while the teacher was transported by ambulance. Both were initially described as being in serious condition. Police later said all three victims were stable, and First Alert 4 reported that the teacher was discharged Thursday afternoon. The other student suffered injuries police described as superficial.

As emergency crews arrived, children elsewhere in the building followed lockdown procedures. A sixth grader told First Alert 4 that his class turned off the lights, secured the door and gathered quietly in a corner.

“I just wanted all my friends to be OK and everyone else to be OK,” he said.

Officers cleared classrooms before families were reunited later that morning. The district dismissed its schools early Thursday and canceled middle school sports for the day.

Klinginsmith said Black Hawk would remain closed November 13, while other district buildings would hold classes. Officials were also arranging counseling support for students and staff.

By Thursday evening, community members had gathered near the school for a prayer vigil and to leave messages of encouragement for those injured.

Authorities have not publicly identified a motive. Klinginsmith said he was unaware of recent threats involving the student suspect, whose name has not been released.

Warrenton police said further information would be shared when doing so would not compromise the investigation or the privacy of those involved.