Maryvale students have ‘virtual learning day’ after stabbing incident

PHOENIX — Phoenix police have released the name of a student killed on campus at Maryvale High School earlier this week.

Michael Montoya II, age 16, was identified by police as the student who was attacked in a classroom and stabbed.

Police said a pocket knife was used in the stabbing. After the attack, the suspect involved, identified as another student, ran out of the classroom and dropped the knife.

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Autoridades identifican al adolescente que murió luego de ser apuñalado en Maryvale High School

Security staff saw the suspect bleeding from his hand, and he was placed in custody.

Police said they would like to speak to anyone who might have video or pictures of the attack.

Anyone with information should reach out to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESSS. 

Maryvale High School students will be “virtual learning” for the rest of the week, school officials said. The modified schedule is in response to a campus incident where a student died after being stabbed by a classmate on Tuesday.

The Phoenix Union High School District superintendent says class will resume on a modified schedule, with counseling services made available to students and staff.

12News spoke with a family moments after they reunited yesterday.  

“I just really needed a hug from my mom,” a student said. “So scared.”

“I was just saying, ‘Thank God. Thank God you’re okay,” the student’s mother said. “Praying for other children and families, but I was just hugging her tight, saying, ‘Thank God you’re okay.”

“There’s a parent out there that didn’t get to come pick up their kid today,” a mother told 12News.

Officials confirm the suspect, a student, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is in custody.

The names of those who were involved in the fight have not been released.

Phoenix Union High School officials said there is no present danger, adding that students and staff are safe.

Regardless, a mother tells 12News safety guidelines at Maryvale need to be reviewed immediately.

RELATED: Parents question safety measures after ‘sharp object’ used in deadly stabbing at Maryvale High School

“There needs to be changes,” she said. “We haven’t seen any changes, and are now going on three years. There’s still more students to come after. His brothers are supposed to come when he’s gone. I’m not going to keep doing this.”

Police have remained on campus overnight following the incident.

12News will check in with parents and students as they arrive on campus.

On Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, a team of emotional support professionals will be available for students or faculty members affected.

School Superintendent Thea Andrade and Councilwoman Betty Guardado issued the following joint statement:

It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, classmates, and teachers of the student whose life was tragically cut short in a violent incident at Maryvale High School. No parent should ever face the pain of losing a child, especially in a place that should be a safe haven for learning and growth.

Our community is grieving. This is a moment of sorrow, but also of reflection and unity. As we process this devastating loss, we must come together to support one another, especially our young people, who may be feeling afraid, angry, or overwhelmed.

The Phoenix Union and Councilwoman Guardado’s teams are working closely with law enforcement to ensure that a full investigation is conducted and that measures are taken to enhance safety in our schools. Violence of any kind has no place in our community, and we must commit ourselves to addressing the underlying causes—whether they be mental health, conflict resolution, or community resources—that contribute to such tragedies.

The Maryvale High School administration has been in consistent contact with their families and our office has been working around the clock to ensure that our families know that they are not alone. We are here for you. We urge anyone in need of support to reach out to the school counselors, crisis teams, or local mental health services. Healing will take time, but we will walk this road together.

If you are a student or faculty member who has been affected by this tragedy, a team of emotional support professionals is available at Maryvale High School tomorrow, Thursday, August 21, from 9:00 am until noon. You can access these services through the front office.

For those who choose not to seek these services at the school are encouraged to seek assistance by calling the Family Advocacy Center and speaking with a Victim Advocate. Their number is: 602-534-2120. We also want to share the hotline for Teen Lifeline (602-248-8336) for our young people who need to talk to someone trained to work with teens directly.

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