Meadowbrook High will not open Wednesday after a student was stabbed at the school

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – A Meadowbrook High School student was hospitalized in serious but stable condition after being stabbed at school Tuesday afternoon. Chesterfield police and school officials reported that a second student was taken into custody in connection with the incident.

“When we arrived here at the school, we immediately locked down the school and made renewed contact with a student who had been stabbed. Life-saving measures were taken at that time; that student was transported to an area hospital,” said Lt. Lance Turner of the Chesterfield Police Department during a media briefing Tuesday afternoon. “There is currently no risk to the public.”

The stabbing, which occurred around 12:20 p.m., is under investigation and authorities have not released details about the circumstances that led to the violent incident.

The interim head of Chesterfield Schools, Dr. John Murray, praised the police's quick response and assured students affected by the violence of support.

“As we consider next steps, counselors and other mental health supports will of course be available to students in the coming days,” Murray said. “We will be meeting shortly as a critical incident team to consider what the next steps are when debriefing the faculty meeting needs to take place, family communication follow-ups, as well as supporting staff and students to ensure emotional and mental health in “Trauma that this may have caused, understandably.”

As part of that plan, Meadowbrook will not open for classes on Wednesday.

“Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m [Wednesday]“We will have counselors and other mental health professionals available at our school to support students and staff,” a school spokesperson announced via email Tuesday afternoon. “Students and staff are welcome to come to school at any time during these times to receive support services.”

Since Thursday was an originally planned school holiday, students would return to class on Friday.

Chesterfield officials provide an update on the stabbing at Meadowbrook High School

After the situation was brought under control and the lockdown was lifted, students were allowed to leave school early on Tuesday.

Parents have been directed to pick up their children at the nearby Meadowdale Library if necessary.

“I would never have thought that in a million years. You know you always see it on TV, you always see it on the news and you always say, 'That'll never happen to me.' As parents we always say this, but today it was a real eye opener,” Chesterfield parent JB said as he arrived at the library to pick up his son. “It's nerve-wracking because I spent about 10 years in Afghanistan and about four years in Iraq, and then you think we come home and our kids are fighting and doing everything we do overseas to make sure our kids are safe, but that’s how it is.” Why don’t we do that anymore? We can no longer have security.

While JB said he was happy with how the school handled the situation, he was left with one question.

“What should I tell my son now? When he asks me questions: 'Hey dad, why did that happen?' What should I tell him?”

School safety

Surrounding school districts such as Richmond and Henrico have already implemented measures such as weapons and metal detectors for this school year. But that's not the case at Chesterfield County Public Schools, the largest school district in central Virginia.

Some community members, like Liz Rodriguez, took to CBS 6's Facebook page and questioned why the district hadn't implemented the additional safety measures.

WTVR

“Currently, none of Chesterfield County Public Schools have gun detectors or metal detectors except at large gatherings such as sporting events or our graduation ceremonies,” Murray said. “However, a few weeks ago we began assessing the appropriateness, financial viability and logistics of installing weapons detection devices in our schools. We observed senior leadership doing the following at one site last week: and we have another site visit planned for next Friday and another neighboring district. Unfortunately, incidents like this underscore the need to take all safety measures.

The district has focused on completing the installation of vestibules at all schools. These vestibules are lockable interior spaces with controlled doors that resemble a lobby. Officials say the three-year, $3 million project will be completed this month.

Chesterfield County Public Schools

The district also has several other security measures in place, including school resource officers, threat assessments and cameras.

The chairman of the Chesterfields school board could not be reached for comment on whether further changes could be made to improve safety.

This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom for more information.