SANTA ROSA, Calif. (TCD) — A 15-year-old high school freshman is in custody after he allegedly stabbed two 16-year-old students, killing one.
On Wednesday, March 1, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Santa Rosa Police received a report of a fight and possible stabbing at Montgomery High School. Officers responded to the scene, where they reportedly learned two male students had been stabbed.
One of the students suffered a stab wound but is likely to survive, police said. Another student, identified as Jayden Jess Pienta, reportedly sustained multiple stab wounds and was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Upon further investigation, police said at approximately 11 a.m., “Two 16-year-old male Montgomery juniors walked into an art class that they were not attending.”
The two juniors allegedly got into a fight with a 15-year-old freshman, but school staff was able to break up the fight for a short while. However, the three teens reportedly started fighting again before the 15-year-old freshman pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed the 16-year-old students.
According to police, the suspect was seen fleeing the school. Officers, with the help of a Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, initiated a search and were able to find the suspect near Highway 12 and Farmers Lane.
Police said the suspect, whose name was not disclosed, was booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Justice Center on charges of homicide, attempted homicide, weapon on a school campus, and battery on a school campus.
Police are looking into a possible motive as well as the relationship between the freshman and two victims.
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