Phoenix, AZ – A 16-year-old student, Michael Montoya II, was fatally stabbed after a classroom fight escalated at Maryvale High School on Tuesday, Aug. 19, according to the Arizona Department of Education.
Shortly before 11 a.m. local time, Phoenix police officers and fire crews responded to the high school. According to a Phoenix Police Department (PPD) statement, Montoya was attacked in class by another male student, who was reportedly armed with a folding pocketknife that is believed to have been brought onto the campus. The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released, allegedly ran out of the classroom after the attack, discarding the knife. School security staff spotted the suspect and took him into custody.
Both students were transported to the hospital. Montoya succumbed to his injuries, while the other student suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A school safety officer immediately responded to the situation, rendering aid to Montoya, as confirmed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
The school was placed under an active lockdown after the incident, but all other students and faculty were reported to be safe.
In his statement, Horne expressed his grief, saying, “The death of a student as the result of a stabbing at Maryvale High School is a terrible tragedy. Schools must be safe places. This terrible incident reinforces my commitment to doing everything possible to make schools safe.”
Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado also offered her condolences, saying, “I am heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the violent incident that took place today at Maryvale High School. My thoughts are with the student who was injured, their family, and the entire school community.”
The school, which has a student body of 2,850, is equipped with metal detectors and a school security officer. However, Councilwoman Anna Hernandez expressed concern that these measures were not enough to prevent the tragedy, stating, “These measures created the appearance of security—but they are not what our community truly needs.” She further emphasized her commitment to redirecting funding toward mental health services, school counselors, and preventative care.
Councilwoman Laura Pastor also voiced her frustration, stating, “I am angry that this happened at a school—a place that is meant to be a safe environment for learning, growth, and support.” She vowed to support efforts to enhance safety measures in schools.
Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington echoed these sentiments, saying, “No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child in this way, and no student should ever feel unsafe in a classroom.”
The investigation is ongoing, and Phoenix police are asking anyone with information or videos related to the incident to submit them to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
The Phoenix Union High School District has yet to respond to requests for additional information.
