13-Year-Old Student Accused of Violent Attack on Classmate at Pennsylvania Middle School

A 13-year-old student at Pennbrook Middle School in Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, is facing charges for allegedly attacking a 12-year-old classmate in the school cafeteria on Wednesday afternoon. The victim sustained serious head injuries in the violent assault.

According to police, the incident occurred around 1:30 pm during the seventh-grade lunch period. Surveillance video showed the 13-year-old suspect running up behind the victim and repeatedly striking her on the head with a large metal Stanley cup. The attack was described as "unprovoked, sudden, and violent."

The victim was transported to the hospital, where she required staples to close the lacerations on her head. She has since been released and is recovering at home. The school was briefly placed on "hold" while first responders arrived at the scene.

Parents and students claim they had previously warned school officials about the alleged attacker's history of violent behavior and threats. One mother reported the 13-year-old to school counselors earlier in the week after her daughter was threatened, but felt her complaints were not taken seriously.

Why this matters: The incident has raised concerns about school safety and the district's handling of student disciplinary issues. Parents are demanding answers and action from school administrators to prevent future acts of violence and ensure the well-being of all students.

The North Penn School District acknowledged the attack as a "deeply disturbing incident" and stated they are working with law enforcement to investigate. The superintendent also addressed rumors that the alleged attacker had been expelled from another school for violent behavior, asserting that those claims are false. Counseling resources have been made available to students who witnessed the traumatic event. The 13-year-old suspect is expected to face felony assault charges in juvenile court. "We are pursuing the details of this incident and will be working with local law enforcement to ensure appropriate measures are taken," the superintendent said in a statement to parents.

Key Takeaways

• 13-year-old student attacked 12-year-old classmate in school cafeteria
• Victim sustained serious head injuries from metal Stanley cup assault
• Parents claim prior warnings about attacker's violent behavior were ignored
• School district acknowledges incident as "deeply disturbing" and is investigating
• 13-year-old suspect faces felony assault charges in juvenile court