At least 19 teenagers and one adult were injured, some seriously, Wednesday morning at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pa., when a male suspect who may have been one of their fellow students attacked them with sharp weapons — reportedly two knives.
Not all the students were cut or stabbed. Some are said to have been injured during a rush to get away from the attacker. But authorities said several of the young people suffered stab wounds serious enough to require immediate surgery. By 11 a.m. ET, doctors were saying that the four most seriously injured victims had life-threatening injuries but are expected to survive.
NPR member station WESA is live-blogging the news here:
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that "the injured students' ages range from 14 to 17." Murrysville is about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh.
The incident began shortly after 7 a.m. ET. as many students were arriving at the school. Authorities say the first 911 call from the school's resources officer was made at 7:13 a.m. ET.
We'll keep an eye on developments and update. As happens when stories such as this are breaking, details are likely to change as the day continues.
Update at 12:25 p.m. ET. Some Victims Didn't See The Attacker:
The students he has treated today say they didn't see the person who attacked them, Dr. Timothy VanFleet of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center just told CNN. They were apparently stabbed or cut while in a crowd.
Update at noon ET. Suspect Is A 16-Year-Old:
The young man taken into custody at the scene is a 16-year-old sophomore at the high school, Murrysville Police Chief Thomas Seefeld told reporter Wednesday morning.
Update at 11:25 a.m. ET. Principal And Resources Officer Tackled Suspect.
WESA writes that Murrysville Police Chief Thomas Seefeld says:
— "The suspect was reportedly 'flashing two knives' in the hallway when he was tackled by the school's principal and the school resource officer. Neither was wounded."
— "Twenty people — 19 students and an adult security guard — were injured in the stabbing attack. The guard sustained a stab wound to the abdomen."
— "Investigators don't know at this time what led to the attack."
Update at 11:10 a.m. ET. "All Are Expected To Survive":
"A doctor says some victims of a multiple stabbing at a high school near Pittsburgh have suffered injuries classified as life-threatening, though all are expected to survive," our colleagues at WESA now report. They're citing information from Dr. Christophe Kaufmann, director of trauma services at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, Pa.
Update at 11:05 a.m. ET. Security Guard Reportedly Stabbed:
"Jeff Dahlke with the security company who provides security for Franklin Regional High School tells KDKA-TV that the suspect was armed with two knives.
" 'The alarm went off, and students started rushing outside, the security guard outside rushed in, and came upon his supervisor, and a vice principal who had the suspect in custody on the ground and was trying to control him, and try to get the weapons away from him,' Dahlke said.
"Police say that security guard was stabbed in the abdomen."
Update at 10:15 a.m. ET. Some "Significant Injuries," Doctor Says:
Dr. Christophe Kaufmann, director of trauma services at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, Pa., tells reporters that three of the patients at his facility were being operated on Wednesday morning for "stab wounds of the chest and abdomen. ... These were significant injuries." Other patients he said, may need "operative care" later today. The Post-Gazette has video of his comments here.
Update at 10:05 a.m. ET. One Student May Have Saved Another's Life:
"The CEO of Forbes Hospital tells KDKA's Heather Abraham that one-student applied pressure to an injured classmate, possibly saving [that] student's life."
Update at 9:55 a.m. ET. Knife Reportedly Used:
WESA reports that Stevens, the public safety spokesman, "says the suspect used a knife, though he didn't say what kind or why he attacked the others."
Update at 9:30 a.m. ET. One Adult Reportedly Injured:
County spokesman Stevens says one of those injured was an adult, the Post-Gazette reports.
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