The Maryvale High School community is reeling from a stabbing incident that occurred on campus on Tuesday, resulting in the death of 16-year-old student Michael Montoya II. Authorities were called to the scene around 11 a.m. after reports of the attack surfaced. According to ABC15, the victim was stabbed multiple times in a classroom by another male student, who was armed with a folding pocketknife and subsequently sustained cuts to his hand.
Distressed family members and guardians quickly gathered at the school as news spread. Debra Boyer, the grandmother of another student, told FOX10 Phoenix, "It's scary because it seems like, you know, nobody really did anything at the time." She witnessed first responders performing CPR on Montoya as he was being transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Councilwoman Betty Guardado expressed her heartbreak over the incident in a statement obtained by ABC15: "Classrooms should be a safe place for all students. As a mother and a representative of our community, I want everyone to feel safe at school." Similarly, State Superintendent Tom Horne reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the security of schools, adding, “Schools must be safe places.”
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended and referred to the Juvenile Court Center, as per ABC15. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing continues, with Phoenix police urging anyone with video evidence to come forward.
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