A student altercation at Washington High School in Massillon resulted in one juvenile sustaining a knife-inflicted wrist injury on Monday, according to police reports. The Massillon Police Department indicated the confrontation occurred in a school bathroom around 11 a.m., with officers arresting the other involved student for felonious assault, FOX8 detailed the incident.
The injured student received treatment at the scene but was not transported to a medical facility, as Massillon Fire Chief Matt Heck confirmed in a report by Cleveland19 News. Meanwhile, the suspect, a 16-year-old boy plead "not true" to the juvenile equivalent of not guilty, and Magistrate Vernon M. Infantino subsequently released him into the custody of his mother, as reported by Canton Repository. The next court appearance for the accused is set for April 14.
Following the incident, Massillon police issued statements reinforcing their commitment to security within the school system. "The Massillon Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, including the students and staff within our schools," per their release. "We continue to work closely with school officials to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone," Lt. Nicholas Antonides wrote, obtained through FOX8 and the Canton Repository.
Paul Salvino, the school's Superintendent, echoed the police efforts to maintain a safe atmosphere for students, expressing that the district's top priority remains the safety and security of Massillon students. In the meantime, the accused has been ordered to stay away from the victim and suspended from school, as the Canton Repository highlighted. 19 News reached out to Massillon City Schools for comment. However, a statement has yet to be released.
