DETROIT _ A 16-year-old student died Wednesday after she was stabbed by another teenager during a fight in a classroom at Fitzgerald High School in Warren, Mich., Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said during a news conference.
The suspect, a 17-year-old girl, is in custody, he said, and a homicide charge will be sought.
Dwyer said the victim was stabbed twice with a kitchen knife at about 8:30 a.m. as class was beginning. There were about 20-30 students and a teacher in the room, Dwyer said. A school resource officer performed CPR.
The victim was taken to St. John Oakland Hospital after the assault. A knife was recovered, Dwyer said.
"It's just a true tragedy," Dwyer said during the news conference, also calling for airport-level security at schools.
The school, located on Ryan Road, north of 9 Mile, will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
The victim and the suspect knew each other, Dwyer said, and have been friends. A motive is not known but police are talking to a boy who may have had a relationship with both girls, Dwyer said.
No one could be immediately reached at the high school office or at the district superintendent's office.
According to an announcement on the Fitzgerald Public Schools' website from Superintendent Laurie Fournier, psychologists and counselors will be available for staff and students at the school. School officials are also working with police, and reviewing safety procedures and protocol, according to the statement.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the student's family and we offer our deepest sympathy," Fournier said in the statement.
Lisa Crabtree of Warren was waiting outside the high school Wednesday morning for her daughter, Abygail, 13, to be released from class. Crabtree said her daughter relayed to her that police were escorting students out class by class.
"She's scared to death in there," Crabtree said of her daughter.
