A student is facing four counts of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon after a stabbing incident at Foss High School in Tacoma, Washington, left four students and a security guard injured on Thursday.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Waleed Emad Essakhi, who was swiftly taken into custody following the attack.
Essakhi appeared in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday, where it was decided that he will be tried as an adult.
Court documents reveal that the altercation stemmed from an incident the day before, when Essakhi allegedly stole a vape pen from another student at a skatepark. The following day, four friends of the student confronted Essakhi in response.
One of the victims reported that Essakhi appeared to provoke the confrontation, challenging them to a fight while slapping his own face.
Surveillance footage, as noted in court documents, purportedly shows Essakhi retrieving an object from his pocket just before the fight ensued with the four students, none of whom were armed.
Waleed Emad Essakhi, 16, was charged with four counts of first-degree assault following a stabbing incident at Foss High School on Thursday. (Getty Images)
Staff members and a security guard got involved to break up the fight.
The students had stab wounds and cut lips, while the security guard was cut on his arm. One victim was stabbed in the side and required emergency surgery to remove a portion of a lung, while another student underwent surgery for a cut on his arm.
Authorities initially said multiple victims suffered critical and non-critical injuries.
The suspect’s mother said her son recently transferred to Foss High School after being bullied and getting into fights at his previous school.
Tacoma Public Schools said the campus was placed on lockdown at 1:38 p.m., with students later released at 2:45 p.m.
Students react to a stabbing incident at a high school in Tacoma, Wash. (KCPQ)
The school was used as a reunification site for families, and classes and activities were canceled the following day. Counselors were made available to support students and staff.
A not guilty plea was entered on Essakhi’s behalf during his arraignment, with bail set at $75,000.
“While these are just allegations at this time, the allegations are concerning,” deputy prosecuting attorney Lena Berberich-Eerebout said during the hearing. “The state has severe concerns for community safety due to his volatile behavior, and release high bail is appropriate.”
An omnibus hearing is set for June 1, while a jury trial is scheduled for June 17.
