Boy accused of stabbing classmate apprehended

A 12-year-old boy was stabbed in the cheek and neck Tuesday afternoon just after middle and high school students were let off a bus near Palmer Lake Elementary School, officials said.

Palmer Lake Police took another 12-year-old boy who they believe stabbed the victim into custody a couple of hours later, said Police Chief Kieth Moreland. He was found on the playground of the elementary school where the incident occurred.

The victim had one deep stab wound near the carotid artery, but the wound is not life threatening, Moreland said.

Officials believe the assailant used a pocket knife.

Moreland said other students said the assailant had been telling them for about two weeks that he was going to stab the victim but no one believed him.

Just after the students from Lewis-Palmer Middle School got off the bus the assailant came up behind the victim and stabbed him in the right cheek and neck, Moreland said. He then fled on foot.

The victim was taken to the hospital. Moreland said the police had not decided whether to take the assailant to the Spring Creek Youth Detention Center or release him to his parents.

Lewis-Palmer School District 38 spokeswoman Robin Adair said the elementary school had not let out for the day when the incident occurred. Elementary buses were delayed slightly because of the incidents, so some students may have been a few minutes late getting home, she said.

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