As students arrived at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Conn. Friday morning, they would have no way of knowing their school would be the scene of the latest incident of student violence.
According to local media reports, a male student attacked 16-year-old Maren Sanchez with an as-yet unidentified object at around 7:15 a.m. Shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital, she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries.
“This is a difficult day for Milford,” said Milford Police Chief Keith L. Mello, confirming the attack took place in the hallway of the school.
School staff reportedly found Sanchez seriously wounded. Milford Public School System Superintendent Elizabeth Feser described the immense loss associated with Sanchez’s death.
“She was extremely involved in the school,” she said, calling her “very well respected” and “just a wonderful young woman.”
The accused assailant has not been identified due to his age, authorities confirmed. Though Sanchez was apparently the only intended victim, the school was nonetheless locked down following the stabbing.
Given the close proximity between the time of the stabbing and the school’s junior prom, rumors have swirled that Sanchez was killed for refusing an invitation to the annual dance.
This deadly attack is the second school stabbing within the month, following a more widespread attack at a high school in Pennsylvania. The scene of this incident is just about 20 miles south of Newtown, which was thrust into the national spotlight following a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.
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