Two victims were taken to the hospital Tues., March 9 following a stabbing incident at Asbury Park High School.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office responded to assist the Asbury Park Police Department with a stabbing incident in front of the high school at approximately 4 p.m. after school was dismissed.
The investigation is ongoing. Asbury Park Police responded to the scene swiftly and secured the scene. The prosecutor’s office said it is believed to be an isolated incident and that there is no further threat to the public. An officer was injured but was treated and released.
School Superintendent Sancha Gray said preliminary information indicates that two or more students were involved in a disagreement during school hours. She said it appears that the disagreement between the students continued after school was dismissed for the day.
“It appears that an individual, who is not an Asbury Park student, may have provided a weapon to one of the students after dismissal, outside of the school building,” Gray said in a statement. It appears that the weapon(s) was subsequently used to injure one or more individuals.
“Based upon the information that is available at this time, it appears that what started as a conflict between students during the school day escalated into physical violence after school was dismissed. What is deeply troubling is a preliminary report that an individual, who is not affiliated with the school district, may have supplied a weapon to one or more of the students after the end of the school day. While there is no indication that any weapons were brought into the school, we will nevertheless work with our law enforcement partners in an effort to ensure that this matter is fully investigated.”
Gray explained that the district’s security measures likely prevented the incident from occurring inside of the school building.
“We utilize a multi-layered security approach, which not only focuses on the prevention of the introduction of weapons into the school environment, but also includes elements of social and emotional learning, mindfulness and peer mediation,” she said in a statement. “While this appears to be an isolated incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the very real challenges that school districts face today.”
She and the Asbury Park Blue Bishop family offer their prayers to the victims.
“We are a family here – family members care about one another and lift each other up in times of need – that’s exactly what we are doing now,” she said.
