15-year-old stabbed, killed by fellow student at Kipp DC College Preparatory school
WASHINGTON DC Aug 24 2021 A 15-year-old KIPP DC College Preparatory school student is dead after being stabbed in the chest by a fellow student, a 16-year-old, according to D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee.
It was just the third day of classes for high school students at KIPP, a public charter school.
“We’ve lost one of our children to a senseless act of violence in front of one of our schools,” Contee said while addressing the media.
It happened around 3 p.m. after a fight within a larger group of kids, Contee said. An off-duty D.C. police officer who works inside the school noticed the kids lingering outside and requested backup. The officers, and some school administrators, were already in the area assisting with “Safe Passage,” a D.C. program that helps students get to and from school safely.
The suspect is in custody. The motive for the stabbing is not clear, according to Contee, but seems to be the result of “two young people who were unable to resolve conflict peacefully.”
“What do we do to help our young people in this city resolve conflict peacefully, without resorting to use of a knife, a gun or violence?” he asked.
According to the school’s principal, Stephanie Renee Young, classes at KCP will be canceled Thursday due to the incident.
Young shared the following message to families:
“I am writing to you tonight with a tremendously heavy heart. After dismissal at KIPP DC College Preparatory this afternoon an incident occurred in front of the school building near the MetroBus stop, in which a KCP student was fatally stabbed.
The Metropolitan Police Department, medical professionals, and KIPP DC staff responded immediately. We have been in touch with the student’s family and will continue to provide support to them. We have maintained ongoing communication with MPD and will continue to cooperate as they conduct a full investigation.
The sudden passing of a student is devastating for all of us, particularly for family and the staff who knew the student well. Classes at KCP will be cancelled tomorrow, Thursday, August 19. However, counselors will be virtually available to help students process this heartbreaking news. We will share zoom links and schedules in the early morning. Students express grief in many different ways and we are here to support them as they process this loss.
As you know, student safety and emotional support are our top priorities and there will be additional police presence and private security at school in the coming days. We encourage you to talk with your child about safe passage to and from school and encourage them to come forward to school staff if they have any safety concerns. Social workers and grief counselors will continue onsite at KCP throughout this time.
We are heartbroken by this news and will update you as we learn more. Thank you for your support.”
7News
