1 Student Stabbed, Another Injured In Middle School Knife Fight

MIDDLETOWN, NY — After a disturbing incident Wednesday in which two students were injured during a knife fight at Monhagen Middle School, the school day Thursday began with a three-hour delay in the start of class time.

School officials said there was an altercation between students Wednesday that caused the school to immediately enter a lockdown.

One of the students involved in the fight brought what appeared to be a knife to school, officials said, and used it during the fight.

Two students were injured, with a 13-year-old being stabbed, according to the Town of Wallkill Police Department. Both students received medical attention in school from the nursing staff and were later transported to hospitals by ambulance.

Police said the 13-year-old who was stabbed is in stable condition.

According to law enforcement, a subsequent investigation by the Town of Wallkill Police Department detectives, the City of Middletown Police Department and the New York State Police, one juvenile, age 13, was arrested and is being prosecuted by the Orange County Attorney’s Office.

Besides the delayed start, there were also a number of other changes students would be facing Thursday.

In a letter to the community from Superintendent Amy Creeden, students were told they would be going through metal detectors upon arrival and would not be allowed to bring in their district-provided devices or any backpacks or large bags.

Creeden said that backpacks, bags and Chromebooks would not be needed Thursday because the focus for the day “is on healing, recovery and processing our next steps forward.”

She said the gravity of Wednesday’s events were understood and the district is left with “feelings of sadness and frustration.”

In the wake of the knife fights, Creeden said the exterior and interior of the middle school, including every locker, classroom, office and bathroom, have been searched.

No weapons of any kind were discovered, she said.

Creeden said that if any family needs support or resources in addressing the incident with their student they should reach out to a member of the administrative team.