HAMPTON, Va. — According to a message sent out to Bethel parents from school principal Dr. Tanya Howard, two students were injured and another was apprehended after an altercation involving a box cutter.
The message says in part, "During class change between our second and third block, we had a student altercation in one of our hallways between two students in which another student intervened. During the altercation, one of the students assaulted the two other students with a small box cutter."
Howard said in the message that administration as well as the school security and School Resource Officer responded immediately.
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As a precautionary measure, additional officers with the Hampton police were contacted and responded to the school to provide support, but a lockdown wasn't called due to the student being apprehended quickly, according to Howard's message.
The two injured students were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, said Howard.
The message said the student is not in school and "will also be disciplined according to the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook."
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News 3's Leondra Head spoke to Bethel High School students.
"They said over the announcements ‘please no students in the hallway right now’ which they say a lot," Mariah Jackson, a senior at Bethel High School said. "They locked down the bathrooms and everything for a good while, but we weren’t put on a lockdown."
"Are you all concerned, and what was your first reaction?" News 3;s Leondra Head asked the students.
"I was just like wow because Bethel is so big on the metal detectors, but nothing really goes off in them," Jackson said.
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The school district says Bethel High School does have weapon detection systems inside the building.
It’s unclear if the student with the box cutter went through the metal detector. We are working to learn those details.
One parent says the incident is concerning.
"I was like that is absolutely ridiculous because at the end of the day these are children," Brandy Wyche, a parent said. "Hampton City schools should regulate the clear backpacks like Newport News has don."
No word yet if the student will be charged.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
