Forget School Shootings...

[That Matt Guy]

...And say hello to school ninja beat downs.

http://www.nbc5i.com/education/4194681/detail.html

Lamar student held in sword attack on classmate

By Anthony Spangler

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON - The Lamar High School student who slashed a classmate in the face with a short Samurai sword Monday was on campus more than an hour early, searching for several other students, police said.

A school office worker noticed the boy walking into the school about 6:50 a.m. carrying 18-inch swords in each hand. She called security guards on a radio and then dialed 911.

Shortly after the assault in a hallway, school security guards tackled the 16-year-old freshman as the he approached the cafeteria. Police arrived one minute and 15 seconds after the 911 call, according to police records.

"Unfortunately, one child did get cut. But it could have been worse," said Lt. Blake Miller, Arlington police spokesman.

The 14-year-old victim, whose name also was not released, was a freshman who played French horn in band. He was treated for a 2 ½-inch cut on his chin at Arlington Memorial Hospital, police said.

The 16-year-old suspect, whose name was not released, was being held on suspicion of attempted murder at a Tarrant County juvenile facility. Police also confiscated two pocket knives from the teen.

He was formerly home-schooled and had attended classes in Arlington for less than a month, according to school records.

A motive in the assault was not known, police said. The teen-ager declined to talk with police detectives after he appeared before a judge Monday morning.

"He was looking for specific targets and apparently had some issues," Arlington police Sgt. Curt Magee said. "The school security guards are heroes because they got him in custody so quickly."

One security guard suffered a minor injury while grappling with the suspect. The injury was not caused by the sword, Miller said. The guards were unavailable for comment.

A Lamar High School student called 911 to report the student roaming the hallways, swinging the swords.

"He's whacking people over the head," said a student, who was not identified on a 911 recording released by police. "He's talking about killing people."

A teacher, who called 911 for an ambulance, described what the suspect was wearing and told an emergency dispatcher that "nobody knows his name."

School officials made two public address announcements Monday to inform students of the assault.

"We wanted to let the kids know that the incident was quickly taken care of and their classmate was treated at the hospital and was OK," said Michelle Clark, an Arlington schools spokeswoman.

While police investigated the area where the assault occurred, a foreign language and math class were moved to the gymnasium.

Students leaving campus at lunch Monday said they were surprised that a student had a weapon in school.

"We still feel pretty safe though," said Andre Melvin, 16, a sophomore.

Arlington schools Superintendent Mac Bernd said campuses are safe, despite Monday's incident.

Security measures in place in Arlington schools include security guards, full-time police officers in most buildings, video surveillance and a student Crime Stoppers program.

"I don't think you can ever feel completely comfortable," Bernd said. "You can't monitor every student, every minute of the day."

I love my city.