One 14-year-old male student is in custody after he allegedly stabbed at two other students at Pella Middle School this morning.

During a press conference at the Pella Police Department, Chief Shane McSheehy confirmed the individual accused in the attack had been arrested for an alleged assault of a school counselor back in February.

The two students who were attacked suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated on site by Pella Ambulance personnel. The school remains open today, although nearly three-fourths of seven and eighth graders did not return after the incident.

Pella Schools Superintendent Greg Ebeling says the stabbing took place before school started and the weapon was believed to have been brought from home by the male student accused in the incident. He says a teacher, who is also a wrestling coach, was able to talk the student down without needing physical constraint.

He says students at Pella Middle School left the building on their own accord following a lockdown he said was difficult to manage because it happened before classes began. They all made way to Third Church across East 13th Street. All seventh and eighth graders are accounted for, according to Ebeling.

McSheehy says it’s too early to determine if the 14-year-old arrested will be tried as an adult, and his office is working with the Marion County Attorney’s Office to determine the appropriate charges.

Full statement from the Pella Police Department:
“This morning at approximately 7:41 a.m., the Pella Police Department was alerted to a situation involving a student at Pella Middle School who was reportedly armed with a knife. Officers quickly responded to the scene. Within two minutes, we were able to secure the area and place one juvenile into custody.

An initial investigation determined that a 14-year-old student at Pella Middle School used a knife to assault multiple students in the cafeteria. Two students sustained minor laceration-type injuries but did not require medical transport. Pella Ambulance personnel were on-site to treat the injured students and assist with reunifying them with their parents. Additionally, crisis canines Nitro and Walter were deployed to help calm students as a result of the incident.

In response to the situation, Pella Middle School was placed on lockdown while emergency responders and school staff conducted a thorough search of the building and began notifying parents. This remains an ongoing investigation, and authorities will continue to gather and process evidence. We are working with the County Attorney regarding the appropriate charges regarding this incident.

We want to thank the quick action of the Middle School Staff who implemented plans and helped keep the students safe. Thank you to Pella Community Ambulance, The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, Marion County Emergency Management, and the Marion County Attorney’s Office, who assisted at the scene and with the investigation.”

AUDIO FROM PRESS CONFERENCE: