A 16-year-old student went on a mass stabbing spree in Franklin Regional High School on Wednesday. The school is located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, a suburb of about 20,000 people located about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh.
A security officer and 21 students were wounded before the stabber was stopped by assistant principal Sam King, who tackled him. It took two to handcuff him, finally.
Several of the victims were listed in critical condition; they and a number of others were airlifted by four medical helicopters to nearby hospitals. Most of the wounded were ages 14 to 17 years old.
The attacker was armed with two “straight knives” about 8 to 10 inches long, according to police. He was described by a classmate as a “quiet person who kept to himself,” according to media reports. Neighbors and acquaintances all described the attacker’s family as “nice, just nice.”
Police and FBI searched his home for clues to a motive for the Pittsburgh-area attack. The teenage stabber’s parents both work, and his brother also attends the high school where he carried out his rampage.
Witnesses called student Nate Scimio a “hero,” saying he kept his head during the attack, activating the school’s fire alarm and helping to shield his classmates.
The school is closed for the next several days while security officials investigate the incident.