Teen slashed with knife during fight at Lincoln High School, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A teen was slashed with a knife Thursday during a fight at Lincoln High School, police say.

Just after noon, a school resource officer called for backup at Lincoln High School due to a fight between two students.

A 14-year-old student pulled out a knife and stabbed a 15-year-old in his arms and the chest and shoulder area, police said.  It’s unknown what led up to the fight.

The victim left the school and went to an urgent care facility, according to Assistant Police Chief Jason Stille.

The other student had injuries “consistent with a knife slipping from his hand,” police said.

Officer Nolan Hauser

Courtesy: Lincoln Police Department

The SRO, Officer Nolan Hauser, gave him first aid.

Both students were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman commended staff members for responding quickly.

“They also remained incredibly calm, and they supported the students, even the students who were not involved in this incident,” he said.

Gausman said staff and students were able to return to classes “relatively quickly.”

“This was an isolated incident, and there is no active threat to students or staff at Lincoln High School,” Gausman said.

Lincoln High Principal Mark Larson echoed that sentiment in two letters to parents.

He also thanked a school administrator for breaking up the fight and Hauser for his response.

Larson urged students to not share videos of the fight, saying it is a violation of school policy.

“We know the video by a student of the incident has been shared by many and it continues to cause a disruption,” he wrote in a letter. “Students need to stop sharing this video or be subject to the LPS policy for causing a disruption to the learning environment. Anyone who has had this video sent to them should delete it immediately.”

School will resume as normal Friday, but Larson said counseling resources are available for students traumatized by the event.

Channel 8 talked to some Lincoln High parents who weren’t too concerned after learning about the stabbing.

“I’m not worried at all,” Lori Kidney said. “Lincoln High has always been really great about keeping kids safe, and I think this is just an isolated incident.”

Another parent, Ashley McWilliams, is happy with how quickly the high school sent out information.

“I am even more impressed with how they dealt with it,” she said. “They locked down classes, they had students and teachers there to rectify the situation. I am just impressed with how they made sure that students were safe, as well as teachers.”

Ashley’s husband, John, said events like this highlight the need for mental health support for students.

“We need help for our kids,” he said. “I think our children need an outlet, and in my personal experience, getting help for our kids in Lincoln is extremely difficult.”

The McWilliams feel comfortable keeping their children at Lincoln High.

At this time, police are considering charges against the 14-year-old.

An investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to call police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.