Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 15-year-old Aalijah Parker after he stabbed a 14-year-old male student at Westwood Middle School in Winter Haven. He is being charged with multiple felonies.
The 14-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital, and the parents have been notified.
“This is outrageous violent criminal behavior that we are not going to tolerate,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “This student is facing some serious felony charges. I’m proud of the partnership we have with Polk County Public Schools and my deputies’ quick actions. Our prayers are with the victim and we are hoping for a fast recovery.”
The preliminary information could change as detectives continue to investigate this incident.
According to law enforcement, at around 1:09pm deputies responded to Westwood Middle School, located at 3520 Ave J NW, to the report of a student being stabbed. Westwood Middle School immediately went on a lockdown status while deputies searched for the suspect.
Deputies learned that Parker and the victim were fighting on campus, when Parker stabbed the victim with a fixed blade kitchen knife (similar to a paring knife). Parker then fled the school campus and was located and arrested at about 1:43pm at a relative’s home nearby.
Westwood Middle School lifted the lockdown at around 2pm.
Parker told deputies he threw the knife behind a trailer in the area and then took deputies to the location. The deputies found the knife exactly where Parker said it would be.
Aalijah Parker was charged with attempted first degree murder, possession of a weapon on school grounds, written threat to kill, tampering with evidence, affray, and disruption of school. He was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
The 14-year-old victim was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries.
