A teacher in Colorado was hospitalized following a stabbing incident on Thursday afternoon, as reported by local authorities.

The Thornton Police Department confirmed that a 31-year-old suspect was apprehended after a male teacher was attacked at 3 p.m. on the grounds of Meadow Community School.

The incident occurred during the school’s dismissal period while the teacher was using a crosswalk. The injured teacher was taken to the hospital, where it was determined that his injuries were not life-threatening.

Upon their arrival at the site, police officers swiftly identified and arrested the suspect, Damien Brooks, aged 31.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation stated that Brooks was charged on Thursday with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Records show Brooks has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple prior felony convictions and charges for attempted homicide, theft, felony menacing, and assault with serious bodily injury, as well as parole violations as recently as 2024.

According to the department, investigators do not believe the incident was related to the school, as the suspect and the teacher had no known relationship.

The Thornton agency said that the investigation is ongoing and investigators are working to determine what led up to the incident.

A spokesperson for Mapleton Public Schools provided a statement to FOX31 Thursday evening regarding the incident. The statement was also shared with Meadow Community School families and district staff, which included the following:

“The Thornton Police Department responded immediately and remained on scene to ensure everyone’s safety. The staff member was transported to the hospital and is doing well. Police have also confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the school or the community, and we want to reassure our families that no students were involved.”

The school district noted that Meadow Community School will be open on Friday, but mental health services will be available for students.

Witnesses describe the scene

Max Flores, a sixth-grade student at Meadow Community School, said the teacher who was stabbed was well-liked.

“He’s a fun teacher he knows how to draw really good,” Flores said.

His mother, Leslie Flores, told FOX31 the news quickly spread through the school community.

“It’s three of my kids’ teacher. So my smallest one he’s five when he heard, he started crying,” she said.

“My oldest one said, ‘Mom, what if it was one of the kids what if it was us going to the bus?’ And that just got to me.”