'Someone's child is not going home:' Three teens arrested, charged after student stabbed to death at NC school

A student resource officer responded to reports of a fight between students around 7 a.m. at Northside High School in Jacksonville. The fight, which may have been gang related, led to a stabbing that left a student dead, hundreds of students and parents shaken – and now another student behind bars.

Despite medical treatment at the scene, one student died, and a minor and a teacher were injured. Two victims from the incident are being treated at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune.

The officer responded in less than 30 seconds and was able to arrest the attacker, identified as a 16-year-old student. Since then, two other students have also been arrested.

One student, a 16-year-old boy, was charged with voluntary manslaughter, possession of a weapon on school property, assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a school official.

Another 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were also arrested, charged with assault and disorderly conduct.

Melissa Brison, mother of three students at the school, said her children were outside when the fight broke out but were escorted into the cafeteria to wait out the subsequent lockdown.

She wondered why the school does not have metal detectors.

"Everyone is looking for a gun. No one pays attention to the 100 other ways to injure someone," Brison said.

The school was in a lockdown until 8:45 a.m., when the school began sending students home. A spokesperson for the district said investigators kept some students at school longer to make sure witnesses were available.

Athletic events for the next two days were canceled, and students will be in virtual learning Friday. Students will return to classrooms Tuesday after the holiday weekend.

"Those kids are gonna be so stressed out," Brison said. "Someone that they knew won't be there Monday or Tuesday."

After the incident, some grieving parents and students paid their respects. Maria Ortega and her son left a bouquet of flowers on the Northside High School sign.

"I want to pay respects to a little monarch student who gained his wings, won't be with us anymore," said Oretga tearfully. Her son is a senior at the school – one of hundreds who is fortunate to be home safe tonight.

Although her son is safe, Oreta wept as she said, "Someone's baby boy isn't gonna come home."

Although the suspects are under 18, they could be tried as adults.

"If this is a violent felony, by North Carolina state statute it will be transferred to superior court to be tried as an adult," says District Attorney Ernie Lee.

He will have an answer soon on if the student will be charged. For now, all three remain in juvenile court. Lee is reviewing the investigation to see if the three teens will be tried as adults and transferred to superior court.

"Even though my kids are safe," Brison said, "I likely know who is involved.

"It's not really about me," she said. "Someone’s child is not going home."