Students and faculty at Waukegan High School are in shock after a fight between two students led to a student being hospitalized with stab wounds.
The incident, which was chronicled extensively on social media, occurred on the third floor of the school’s Washington Campus, which is home to juniors and seniors.
The fight occurred inside of a restroom at the school at approximately noon Thursday. A fight between two students escalated quickly, with a student allegedly stabbing another student with a sharp, unidentified object.
Both students were taken to area hospitals, and the school was placed on a soft lockdown after the incident.
Despite some speculation on social media, school officials do not believe that the incident is linked to a threatening message that was discovered in a school restroom earlier this week.
Community activists and parents are still concerned about the escalating violence at the school, and are looking for proactive measures to keep students safe.
“I’m telling parents not to send children to the high school,” activist Margaret Carrasco said. “I’m sorry. Your children are not safe.”
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In a letter sent from the school’s principal to parents, officials say that “enhanced safety measures” are still in effect at the school, including metal detectors and x-ray machines. The principal also said that new safety policies will be implemented at the school in addition to existing protocols.
Waukegan police are still investigating the stabbing.
Community activists plan to hold a protest at the next school board meeting on Nov. 26.
