Crime

15-year-old charged with stabbing classmate at high school in Fitchburg

The classmate sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

October 31, 2024

1 minute to read

A 15-year-old student in Fitchburg allegedly stabbed a classmate Wednesday afternoon, putting the Goodrich Academy high school into lockdown.

According to the Fitchburg Police, the student was taken into custody and is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The Fitchburg Police Department was called to the Goodrich Academy Wednesday at 1:59 p.m. for a report of an assault. When police arrived, they found a student who sustained non-life-threatening injuries from a stabbing.

The victim was treated at the school and then was transported by first responders to a local hospital for further care.

A preliminary investigation by the police indicates that the incident was targeted and poses no ongoing threat to other students.

The Fitchburg Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.

The Fitchburg Police did not respond with any additional updates as of Thursday morning.

In a statement, Jon Thompson, the superintendent of Fitchburg Schools, said the school followed specific security protocols to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Thompson wrote that Fitchburg police responded immediately and helped provide a safe environment throughout the lockdown. At around 2:45 p.m., the lockdown and safety protocols ended and students were dismissed for the remainder of the school day.

The superintendent said that Goodrich Academy is in session on Thursday and Friday. Additional staff and a member of the Fitchburg Police Department will be on-site for the remainder of the week.

In addition, Thompson wrote he understands that lockdown events are frightening and emotionally upsetting. Therefore, additional counseling personnel and therapy pets will be available throughout the day and the remainder of the week.

On Friday, counselors from Riverside Trauma Center will visit Goodrich Academy from 10 to 12 p.m. to meet in a group debrief format with any members of the schools who would like to participate.

“The Fitchburg Public Schools is working closely with the Fitchburg Police Department to further investigate the situation to ensure safety for all students and staff,” Thompson wrote.