14-year-old Flagler County student arrested for pulling knife on other students after fight, deputies say
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. - A 14-year-old middle school student was arrested Friday morning after pulling a knife from his backpack and threatening other students with it after an altercation with other students, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and exhibition of a weapon on school grounds, according to a press release.
The incident happened around 7:45 a.m. Friday at Indian Trails Middle School.
Before school started, two girls were involved in a fight, which was subsequently broken up by school staff. After the altercation, the 14-year-old student took a knife out of his backpack and raised it above his head in a "threatening manner" toward other students present, according to deputies.
Deputies shared a photo of the knife, which appears to be a sharp kitchen knife.
Photo: Flagler County Sheriffs Office
He was quickly and safely taken into custody.
According to a report, the student was walking around school with the weapon in his backpack for two days, before the incident. He said his reasoning for bringing the knife to school was self-defense.
No injuries were reported.
The knife threat marks the third violent incident within Flagler County Schools this month.
At Matanzas High School, there was a brawl where 11 students were arrested.
Another incident happened at Flagler Palm Coast High School. A student was arrested for bringing a toy gun to school – and pointing it at classmates.
RELATED HEADLINES:
- 16-year-old Florida student arrested after firing airsoft gun at another student during school, deputies say
- 3 Florida high school students arrested for crafting 'lethal hit list' plan in group chat, deputies say
- 15-year-old Florida student arrested for threatening students with fake gun in school 'prank': deputies
In regard to Friday's threat at Indian Trails Middle School, Flagler County Schools Superintendent Lashakia Moore said in a statement:
"First, I want to commend the staff at ITMS for their quick actions in diffusing the situation so that no one was injured. Second, it’s important for our students and families to understand that bringing any type of weapon onto one of our campuses will not be tolerated. Parents entrust us with providing a safe and secure learning environment, and that is a responsibility we do not take lightly. Finally, I want to thank our School Resource Deputies for their collaboration with our school administrators and deans while investigating this incident. The majority of students who come to school every day make choices to abide by the rules. We will not let the actions of a few undermine the overall goal of educating our students."
Sheriff Rick Staly said there is a zero-tolerance policy in Flagler County.
"What I ask parents to do is be the Sheriff in your own home. Teach your kids right from wrong and how to de-escalate a situation," Staly said.
FOX 35 News has reached out to Flagler County Schools to see what happens next for the student, and has not yet heard back.