Teen Stabbing Inside West Potomac High School Shocks Virginia Community
A 15-year-old taken into custody after stabbing fellow student at West Potomac High School in Virginia is now facing malicious wounding charges, according to Fairfax County Police.
The violent incident unfolded early Wednesday morning inside the halls of West Potomac High School. Police say around 9:40 a.m., a confrontation between three students turned bloody when a 15-year-old allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old male student multiple times.
Police Chief Kevin Davis said a student resource officer was on scene almost immediately after the altercation began. EMTs arrived within minutes at 9:50 a.m. and found the teen victim suffering from what were first reported as life-threatening stab wounds.
Thankfully, after being rushed to a nearby hospital, his condition was upgraded to stable. The attack has left the school community shaken and searching for answers.
Police Confirm Arrest, Investigation Still Ongoing
Authorities officially confirmed that the 15-year-old suspect is now in custody, facing serious charges. He’s being held on accusations of malicious wounding, a felony offense in Virginia.
Investigators are also reviewing the involvement of a third student who was reportedly part of the confrontation. As of now, that individual isn’t facing charges, and police said there are no outstanding suspects in the case.
“This is still an active investigation,” Fairfax County officials emphasized in a briefing. They confirmed school surveillance footage and student witness statements are playing a major role in how they piece everything together.
Fairfax Schools Implement ‘Stay Put’ Protocol, Parents Express Frustration
In the aftermath, West Potomac High School did not dismiss students early. Instead, they shifted to a modified lunch schedule, with staff offering supervision and mental health support throughout the building.
Superintendent Michelle Reid explained, “We are taking every precaution to maintain safety while still allowing school operations to continue in a secure way.”
But not every parent agreed with the decision to keep students in school under what officials called the “Stay Put, Stay Tuned” protocol.
“I still can’t go get my daughter,” said Bill Beal, a frustrated father. “Constant text messages from my daughter, ‘Get me out of here, I’m ready to go.’ This is more of a lockdown than a ‘stay put.’ At the end of the day, I think that’s all these parents want — to get their kids, to hug their kids.”
Reid clarified that no children will be released until the police have fully cleared the crime scene. Parents must continue to wait, even if they arrive at the school with proper identification.
