Teen wounded after being stabbed at Avondale High School

ROCHESTER HILLS/AUBURN HILLS/BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP/TROY — A high school student was taken into custody after reportedly stabbing another student at Avondale High School.

Police were called to the school on the report of an assault just before 8 a.m. Feb. 4. Two male students were identified in the altercation and the high school, and nearby Auburn Elementary School, were placed on soft lockdown.

Two students, authorities said, got into a fight in the school bathroom and a 16-year-old allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old. The victim was stabbed multiple times, including in the leg, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the report, a kitchen knife was later discovered in the bathroom.

The 15-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities, and was taken to a local hospital by his parents. He was later treated and released, after initially refusing to be taken to the hospital.

His suspected assailant was caught on video surveillance cameras leaving the campus on foot just after the altercation at approximately 7:40 a.m.

“This incident is unacceptable. My top priority is ensuring kids feel safe at their school,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. “I’m grateful the victim is recovering. This situation could have been much worse for all involved. The accused assailant, who is just 16, will face serious consequences that hopefully serves as a wake-up call.”

The suspect was taken into custody at approximately 9:40 a.m. and lodged at the Oakland County Children’s Village Juvenile Detention Center. The 16-year-old’s parents were contacted and police said they are cooperating with the investigation.

“This was an isolated incident between two students, no other students were injured or involved in the altercation,” Scott McGraw, the deputy chief of police for the Auburn Hills Police Department, said in a statement.

Because the students are minors, authorities said they are not releasing the names or photographs of the victim or suspect.

The suspect is charged with assault with great bodily harm less than murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and possessing a weapon on school property, McDonald announced.

In an email to district parents and staff, Avondale School District Superintendent James Schwarz said the district’s top priority is always the safety of students and staff, and officials “remain committed to ensuring transparency and open communication throughout this process.”

“Today’s lockdown was the result of an isolated incident between two students at the high school. The incident posed no threat to anyone else, nor do we expect any residual issues to arise from this situation,” Schwarz said in the email.

As part of standard safety protocols, he said district administration and staff have been meeting to review the incident.

“This review will help us assess our response, identify areas for improvement, and enhance our processes and protocols for the future. The district is also offering counseling and/or social-emotional support upon request, for any students that may be feeling anxious about today’s incident,” Schwarz said. “Avondale takes every threat extremely seriously, and the safety of our students is always our first and top priority.”

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Auburn Hills Police Department at (248) 370-9460.