Westmoreland County PA May 19 2018 Alex Hribal’s parents and the Franklin Regional School District knew of his mental illness and violent tendencies before he went on a knife rampage at the high school in 2014, a former student claims in a lawsuit.

Gregory Keener, 19, of Murrysville filed a lawsuit Monday in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court against Hribal, his parents, Tina and Harold, the school district and the school’s private security firm.

Keener was injured in the April 9, 2014 attack. His filing marks the first lawsuit in connection with the assault.

Hribal, 20, of Murrysville, was sentenced Jan. 22 to serve 23 1/2 to 60 years in prison for trying to kill 20 students and a security guard during the morning knife rampage at the high school.

“At all relevant times, defendants Tina and Harold Hribal were aware of their son’s intent to carry out this attack and were otherwise acutely aware of defendant Hribal’s serious mental illnesses and propensity for violence prior to the attack. Despite this knowledge, defendants Tina and Harold Hribal failed to take action to prevent the attack or otherwise forewarn (the school district) or its students,” the 20-page lawsuit said.

Reached by telephone Tuesday at her home, Tina Hribal disputed the lawsuit’s contention that either her husband or she had any prior knowledge the attack would take place. Both parents testified during Hribal’s sentencing hearing that they had no prior knowledge of the attack.

Several students including Keener were severely injured and others still dealing with the emotional trauma from the violent incident, according to court testimony.

“Similarly, at all relevant times prior to the incident, defendant (school district) was aware of defendant Hribal’s serious mental illness and propensity for violence towards other students prior to the attack. Despite this knowledge, defendant (school district) failed to take any action to deter or prevent the attack,” the lawsuit said.

Claims in the lawsuit include negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit also contends that the security guard employed by Capital Asset Protection Inc., John Resetar, was 70 years old at the time, “unarmed” and not properly trained in the event of such emergencies.

Capital, only provided “merely an appearance of safety to students which amounted to only window dressing to placate students and parents alike,” according to the lawsuit.

Keener, who was 15 at the time of the assault, was the final student released from area hospitals after the mass stabbing. Keener underwent several surgeries at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville and was released 30 days after being admitted and then 9 days in step down recovery, according to the lawsuit.

Neither Franklin Regional School District Solicitor Gary Matta or officials at Capital Asset Protection Inc., headquartered in Robinson Township, immediately returned calls seeking comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit filed by the Pittsburgh law firm, Friday & Cox, says that Keener continues to suffer “great pain, suffering, inconvenience, embarrassment, mental anguish and emotional and psychological trauma” as a result of the attack.

It also contends that he continues to expend large sums of money for continued medical treatment and care, medical supplies, rehabilitation and therapeutic treatment and medicines.

“(Keener) has suffered significant scarring. (Keener’s) earning capacity has been reduced and may be permanently impaired, (and) he has an inability to enjoy various pleasures of life that were previously enjoyed,” the lawsuit contends.

The lawsuit also discloses new details of the stabbing.

McClatchy

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