'Stabbed her five times': Students say girl attacked at Moore County school was stabbed by boyfriend
A high school in Moore County was placed on a modified lockdown Friday morning after a student was stabbed by another student.
According to officials, a student stabbed a girl around 8:45 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines.
Sources close to the investigation told WRAL News that the victim was stabbed multiple times.
Authorities flew her to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where she is in ICU recovering.
The assault happened during first period near the auditorium. Other students said the two students were dating.
"There [were] issues between them in a relationship, and I guess he decided to take it a different way," said student Austin Frye.
The suspect is in custody, and the victim was in surgery with critical wounds.
Other students on campus are emotional about the stabbing, with some even saying they heard the girl screaming.
"He just came up and then stabbed her like five times in the stomach and one time in the hand," said student Margaret Remington.
According to police, students helped detain the suspect until he was taken into custody.
"The suspect attempted to flee," said Moore County School Police Chief Rodney Hardy. "Students began to restrict the movements of the person as he was trying to leave campus."
The modified lockdown was lifted and some parents rushed to pick up their children. This included Brittany Ladson, who went to pick up her daughter. Ladson's daughter said she heard the victim screaming for help after being stabbed in the parking lot.
"It just makes you feel bad when you send your kids to school thinking they're going to be safe at and then these type things happen," Ladson said. "Thank God it wasn't worse, and I pray that the condition of the child [is] she's okay."
The school operated on a normal schedule for the remainder of Friday.
Principal Stefanie Phillips sent a message to parents, saying, "All students are accounted for and are safe. Students will remain in an extended first period as we lift the modified lockdown. Parents wishing to sign out their student may come to the front of building one. Students will be escorted to their parents after being signed out. Parent permission is required for student check-out.”
