Smyrna middle school student charged in stabbing of classmate

Sep 14, 2021 at 02:45 pm by Lisa Marchesoni


One student was treated for his injuries after being stabbed allegedly by another student before classes began Tuesday at Rocky Fork Middle School in Smyrna, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s detective said.

Emergency Medical Services paramedics treated the 13-year-old boy and took him to StoneCrest Medical Center.

Detective Steve Brown said the boy was treated and released to his parents, said.

“No other students were hurt or in danger,” Brown said. “It was an isolated incident. It happened over a girl.”

Brown charged the suspect with attempted first-degree murder and carrying a weapon with intent on school property.

“The suspect purposefully brought a knife to school and violently attacked the victim on school property before school started in the gymnasium,” Brown said.

Many students were in the gymnasium at the time, the detective said.

Director Bill Spurlock of Rutherford County Schools said, “I commend our school staff for springing into action and using their training to resolve this situation quickly.”

Smyrna Police and extra school resource officers responded to the school.

SRO Capt. Brad Harrison said additional supervisors and SROs responded to care for the students, gather witnesses and preserve the crime scene.

Brown took the suspect to the Juvenile Detention Center where a hearing is pending in Juvenile Court.

Spurlock said, “I’m also grateful for our first responders for coming to the school’s aid and ensuring the victim received the treatment he needed. We never condone the use of violence, and unfortunately, these types of situations are happening too often among our young people. We need to focus on community resources for those youth who are struggling with mental health issues.”

Sections: Crime & Safety