A 16-year-old student from Maryvale High School in Arizona was apprehended on Tuesday, accused of fatally stabbing a fellow student during an on-campus altercation. The suspect, identified as Chris D. Aguilar, is facing a second-degree murder charge for the death of 16-year-old Michael Montoya II, as per the local authorities.
The Phoenix Police Department reported that they received a call from a school staff member around 10:54 a.m. on Tuesday, alerting them to an assault that had occurred within a classroom. Upon arrival, the first officer on the scene was directed to the school’s administration building where Aguilar was detained.
Emergency medical personnel and additional officers found Montoya at the scene, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the school, Montoya was rushed to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead due to his injuries.
Following Aguilar’s arrest, detectives have made significant strides in their preliminary investigation, interviewing several witnesses and reviewing video footage. The investigation has revealed that Montoya was allegedly attacked in class by Aguilar, who was armed with a folding pocketknife, believed to have been brought onto the campus.
Post the attack, Aguilar reportedly fled the classroom, dropping the knife in the process. He was later spotted by security staff, bleeding from his hand, and was subsequently taken into custody. Both Aguilar and Montoya were transported to separate hospitals. The knife believed to be used in the attack was later recovered by the authorities.
Court documents, as reported by local Fox affiliate KSAZ, shed light on the events leading up to the incident. Two teachers who witnessed the attack told investigators that Aguilar had moved his seat to sit next to Montoya that morning. Aguilar allegedly punched Montoya multiple times before producing a pocketknife and stabbing him thrice.
Local CBS affiliate KTVK reported that two days prior to the fatal incident, Montoya had allegedly robbed Aguilar of a firearm. Following this incident, Aguilar and his twin brother were reportedly overheard making threats against Montoya.
In response to the tragic incident, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne stated that the death of a student due to a stabbing at Maryvale High School is a terrible tragedy and reiterated his commitment to ensuring school safety. Aguilar, who is being charged as an adult, is currently being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.