Share and Follow
A student now faces charges of four counts of first-degree assault involving a deadly weapon after a stabbing occurred at Foss High School in Tacoma, Washington, on Thursday. The incident left four students and a security guard injured.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Waleed Emad Essakhi, who was apprehended soon after the event unfolded.
Essakhi appeared in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday, where it was decided that he will be prosecuted as an adult.
Court records reveal that the student is accused of stealing a vape pen from another student at a skatepark the day before. In response, four friends of the student confronted him.
One of the victims recounted that Essakhi was provoking them by slapping his own face and inciting them to fight.
Court documents state surveillance footage shows the suspect allegedly pulling an object from his pocket before the four students began to fight him. None of the victims were armed.
Waleed Emad Essakhi, 16, was charged with four counts of first-degree assault following a stabbing incident at Foss High School on Thursday. (Getty Images)
Staff members and a security guard got involved to break up the fight.
The students had stab wounds and cut lips, while the security guard was cut on his arm. One victim was stabbed in the side and required emergency surgery to remove a portion of a lung, while another student underwent surgery for a cut on his arm.
Authorities initially said multiple victims suffered critical and non-critical injuries.
The suspect’s mother said her son recently transferred to Foss High School after being bullied and getting into fights at his previous school.
Tacoma Public Schools said the campus was placed on lockdown at 1:38 p.m., with students later released at 2:45 p.m.
Students react to a stabbing incident at a high school in Tacoma, Wash. (KCPQ)
The school was used as a reunification site for families, and classes and activities were canceled the following day. Counselors were made available to support students and staff.
A not guilty plea was entered on Essakhi’s behalf during his arraignment, with bail set at $75,000.
“While these are just allegations at this time, the allegations are concerning,” deputy prosecuting attorney Lena Berberich-Eerebout said during the hearing. “The state has severe concerns for community safety due to his volatile behavior, and release high bail is appropriate.”
An omnibus hearing is set for June 1, while a jury trial is scheduled for June 17.