Two RPA students arrested in stabbing incident

Two 14-year-old Redmond Proficiency Academy students have been lodged on charges in connection with Thursday’s stabbing at the school’s West Campus — one for using a small knife to stab a boy several times, and the other for providing the weapon, officials said Friday.

Here’s the full text of a statement issued Friday afternoon by the Redmond School District and Redmond Proficiency Academy.

Two 14 year old male students from the Redmond Proficiency Academy have been arrested and lodged under Safe Schools Alliance Protocol for multiple charges related to yesterday’s incident that occurred at the school’s west campus.

Two teenage males were involved in an altercation Thursday morning on the Redmond Proficiency Academy West Campus located at 2105 W. Antler Ave. in Redmond.

During the altercation, one student brandished a knife, inflicting multiple non-life threatening stab wounds to the other student.

Further investigation revealed that the student used a knife with a blade length of 1.25 inches, which broke away from the handle during the altercation. It was determined that the knife was provided to the assailant from a third student. Both the assailant and third student have been detained.

School staff quickly intervened and within minutes, Redmond Police Department and Redmond Fire & Rescue responded to the scene.

The injured student was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, where he was treated and released.

Redmond Proficiency Academy and the Redmond School District are deeply saddened by this event and would like to express their heartfelt condolences to the victim and his family.

The following charges have been issued:

Student 1 (Assailant) – Assault II & Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Student 2 (Third student) – Conspiracy to Commit Assault II & Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Both students are lodged in the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Facility in Bend under these charges and Safe Schools Alliance protocols. The ongoing investigation is being facilitated by the Redmond Police Department in cooperation with the Redmond Proficiency Academy and the Redmond School District.

Both RPA and the Redmond School District are proceeding with appropriate disciplinary steps to this serious, isolated event.

It is the policy of the Redmond School District and RPA that any student who participates in acts of violence is subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion.Additionally, any student who brings a weapon on school property shall be expelled for a period of no less than one year.

The regional crisis response team has been activated and is on site at RPA all day today for students and staff who may need counseling resources.

“The Redmond Police Department is committed to the safety of all Redmond School District students,” shared Lt. Mike Kidwell with Redmond Police Department. “Although incidences like these are rare, we take them seriously and will proceed with all steps necessary to ensure that our schools remain safe environments for learning.”

For questions or further information regarding the incident please contact Lt. Mike Kidwell with Redmond Police Department at 541-504-3422.

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Thursday’s story:

The incident involving two eighth-graders was reported around 7:45 a.m. at RPA’s West Campus at 2105 West Antler Avenue, the former Hugh Hartman school building.

“During the altercation, one student brandished a broken piece of a small pocket knife, causing minor injuries to the other student,” the Redmond School District and RPA said in a joint news release late Thursday morning.

“Staff immediately responded to the incident according to the school’s safety plan,” they added. “Both Redmond Police Department and Redmond Fire & Rescue additionally responded to the scene.”

Police said the victim was cut several times with a knife less than three inches long with no handle.

After the brief incident, the teen was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Bend for treatment, officials said.

Families of the students involved were notified immediately. The regional crisis response team was activated and made available for students and staff who may need counseling resources.

“Redmond Proficiency Academy is saddened by this event but is thankful for the quick intervention of our staff and first responders,” said Jon Bullock, the school’s executive director. “We take matters of this nature seriously, and student safety is of primary importance. Our campus is safe for all students, and we have resumed normal operations for the school day.”

Both Redmond Proficiency Academy and the Redmond School District have stringent policies regarding violence and weapons on school property, the school officials noted.

In a note sent earlier to RPA parents and staff, Bullock wrote, “Two middle school students engaged in an altercation before school this morning that ended with one student suffering injuries.”

“RPA staff took immediate action to ensure the safety of all students,” Bullock wrote. “Police, fire, and medical personnel responded.”

“Both students involved in the incident have been identified,” he added. “A knife was involved, and one student sustained minor injuries. That student is being transported to the hospital; the other is in police custody.

“School is operating on a regular schedule, and all students and staff are safe,” Bullock said.