A 15-year-old girl died Monday after she was stabbed multiple times by an intruder at a high school in Stockton, California, authorities said.
The suspect, described as a man in his 40s, was arrested at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School immediately after the attack, according to school officials.
Authorities were alerted to the stabbing at 11:05 a.m., according to the Stockton Police Department.
“While responding, we learned a Stockton Unified School District police officer had the suspect detained,” police said. “The student, a 15-year-old female, was transported to an area hospital where unfortunately she died from her injuries.”
Investigators learned that the suspect drove to the school’s front parking lot, exited his car, walked up to the student and stabbed her, police said.
The campus was placed on lockdown after the attack, school officials said.
During an afternoon news conference, Stockton Unified School District Superintendent John Ramirez Jr. said the man walked through an unlocked gate at the front of the campus and stabbed the student.
“A trespasser entered in front of our school today and stabbed one of our students multiple times,” Ramirez said, his voice breaking. “Unfortunately, she did not make it.”
Several school staff members were near the gate when the stabbing occurred, including a district police officer, he said.
Stockton police have taken over the investigation, Ramirez said. It’s unclear if the suspect knew the student.
“We want to offer from all of our Stockton Unified staff prayers to the family,” he said.
The motive for the attack is not known, according to a district statement posted to Instagram.
The student’s identity was not released Monday.
The suspect’s identity will be released after he is booked in jail, said Officer Joe Silva, a police spokesman.
“There will be increased security at all campuses,” said Melinda Meza, a school district spokeswoman. “Counselors, mental health clinicians and school psychologists are on hand at the school and will be available all week. The safety of our students, staff and teachers remain a top priority.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Stockton Police Department’s nonemergency number at (209) 937-8377 or the Investigations Division at (209) 937-8323.
