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Around 450 students reportedly refused to show up to classes Friday at a California high school after a stabbing that occurred the day before as well as further alleged threats of violence. A stabbing and a fight reportedly took place Thursday at Watsonville High School, KSBW reported. A teen allegedly stabbed another teen and a security guard and another student was allegedly assaulted by three classmates. Four students were arrested as a result of both incidents. Rumors allegedly circulated on the internet that there would be a shooting on campus. Police looked into the alleged online threats and decided they were not credible. Security, including police presence, was raised for Friday and a home football game at the school Saturday. Police have arrested a 16-year-old suspect in connection with the stabbing, KSBW reported on Oct. 26. Authorities charged the teen with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Both alleged victims — a 14-year-old and a school staffer — were hospitalized and are expected to be okay. The students involved in the alleged assault have also been arrested. All three students face charges of felony battery and assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators suspect the two incidents may be connected. (RELATED: Man Tries To Walk Through 115 MPH Winds, And It Goes Exactly How You’d Expect) A parent who spoke with the outlet said her son texted her while the high school was on lockdown. “Are you okay? Yeah, the kid got stabbed in the head around there. I saw him holding his head, and he passed right in front of me,” the mother said. Another parent, also not identified, addressed the matter. “It’s kind of scary when you drive by and see half of the police force here and a fire truck,” the individual said. During a press conference, interim Watsonville Police Chief David Rodriguez confirmed officers responded to calls reporting a stabbing at the high school just prior to 10:04 a.m., according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. A sergeant reached the scene less than two minutes after to find the suspect restrained. Police, firefighters and school employees aided the injured as ambulances showed up and the school underwent a lockdown, the police chief said. Authorities allegedly determined that another student fled the stabbing scene, collected two more students and attacked another 14-year-old near where the first incident took place. “The incidents happened one right after the other,” Rodriguez said. The police chief also said the knife used during the stabbing was recovered at the scene. Police are investigating whether the suspects and victims were acquainted, whether the suspects were known to authorities and whether the suspects possess ties to gangs. The two incidents follow a previous incident where a 17-year-old student allegedly brought a firearm to the school the week before. The student allegedly had gang ties and authorities are investigating whether the recent alleged attacks were connected to the previous incident. The Daily Caller has reached out to Watsonville High School and the Watsonville Police Department for comment.
