YONKERS, N.Y. — A 14-year-old student at Gorton High School was arrested on Tuesday morning after allegedly stabbing a fellow student in a classroom altercation, according to the Yonkers Police Department. The incident, which took place just after 9:30 a.m., prompted a temporary lockdown at the high school as officers secured the scene and initiated an investigation.
Police officers responding to the report found a 17-year-old male student suffering from multiple non-life-threatening stab wounds. The school nurse, Yonkers police officers, and paramedics provided on-site medical assistance before the victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. His family was notified of the incident.
The suspect, who was detained by school safety officers immediately after the altercation, was taken into custody by Yonkers police. Authorities reported that the weapon used in the stabbing—a knife—was recovered at the scene. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being processed by the Yonkers Police Department Youth Division.
The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution immediately following the incident, with students remaining in classrooms until around 10:30 a.m. After both the victim and the suspect were removed from the premises, the lockdown was lifted and students resumed their normal schedules. A preliminary investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from a dispute between the two students that escalated into a physical altercation.
The 14-year-old suspect faces multiple charges, including attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Due to the ages of those involved, authorities are withholding further details regarding their identities, in accordance with privacy laws.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano addressed the incident in a statement, calling it “alarming” and emphasizing that it does not reflect the character of the Yonkers School District. “I have asked the Superintendent of Schools to work with Yonkers Police and the school administration to review security measures and convene a crisis intervention team for students at the school,” Spano said. “Our goal is to ensure an incident like this does not happen again and provide continued support to our community.”
Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza affirmed the department’s commitment to school safety, noting that the police would continue collaborating with Yonkers Public Schools to provide a secure environment for students and staff. “Safety in our schools is always a top priority for us,” Sapienza stated.
Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools Anibal Soler, Jr. also expressed concern over the incident but reassured families that it was isolated and that the school remains safe. “Our crisis intervention team is available to support students and staff as we move forward together,” Soler said, adding that the district is reviewing security protocols with local law enforcement.
The Yonkers Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation, while school officials and city leaders work to address safety concerns and support the well-being of students and staff at Gorton High School.