TACOMA, WA — A student at Foss High School was charged with five counts of first-degree assault Thursday after stabbing four classmates and an adult security guard during an altercation that left six people hospitalized.
The incident unfolded at 1:38 p.m. when emergency responders rushed to the Tacoma school following reports of a stabbing. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was also injured during the altercation and taken into custody. All six victims, including the suspect, were transported to local hospitals and listed in stable condition by Thursday evening, though four initially arrived in critical condition.
Tacoma Fire Department spokesperson Chelsea Shepherd confirmed that crews treated five patients at the scene before transporting them to hospitals. Four suffered critical injuries while one sustained minor wounds. The sixth person — the suspect — was taken to a hospital under police custody with minor injuries. All of those wounded were either stabbed or cut, said Shelbie Boyd, a spokesperson for the Tacoma Police Department. The suspect was among those injured in the confrontation.
The school immediately went into lockdown when the violence began, with students safely dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Parents were directed to a reunification area in the student parking lot to collect their children. The school is secure, and we are currently investigating, Boyd told reporters. Video footage from the scene showed a large police presence surrounding the campus as investigators worked to piece together what happened. Student accounts circulated on social media suggested the altercation began over a stolen vape pen, though police have not confirmed what prompted the violence.
Foss High School serves approximately 1,200 students in Tacoma’s south end and has faced periodic security challenges in recent years. The school employs security guards and has implemented various safety protocols, though Thursday’s incident represents one of the most serious violence events in the district’s recent history. Tacoma Public Schools canceled all Friday classes and after-school activities as administrators worked with law enforcement to investigate the incident and assess security measures.
The suspect faces five counts of first-degree assault, a serious felony that could result in significant prison time if convicted. Police have not disclosed the suspect’s age or whether they will be charged as an adult, though Washington state law allows prosecutors to file adult charges against juveniles in cases involving serious violent crimes. The Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case and determine the final charges. Court documents detailing the specific allegations had not been filed as of Thursday evening.
Students described chaotic scenes as the lockdown began, with many learning about the incident through videos shared among classmates. In class we hear, ‘This is a lockdown,’ and everybody’s like, ‘What is going on?’ one student told local media. And then, all of a sudden, I see the video airdropped to my friend’s phone, and we see the whole video happen — the whole fight and stuff — and it was just crazy. Another student said they heard the altercation started when someone took another person’s vape pen, leading to a confrontation that escalated when the suspect produced a knife.
The school will reopen Monday with counselors and additional administrative staff on site to support students and faculty. We are grateful for the quick, calm action of our staff and our first responders, Tacoma Public Schools said in a statement. The district noted that disciplinary measures beyond the criminal charges have not yet been determined as the investigation continues.
