Florida Student Allegedly Stabs Two Seventh-Graders and Paraprofessional in School Hallway

A middle school student went on a stabbing spree on the morning of March 24, stabbing two students and a paraprofessional, according to authorities.

The attack occurred at Walton Middle School in DeFuniak Springs at around 7:20 a.m. shortly after the student was dropped off early, Walton County Sherriff Michael Adkinson said during a press conference.

Adkinson said the student went inside a washroom and emerged in less than three minutes wearing a mask and wielding a sharp object.

The student then allegedly stabbed the first peer he encountered in the hallway multiple times before running down the hall and attacking an adult female paraprofessional. He then attacked another student, Adkinson explained. That rampage lasted about 45 seconds.

The first victim was “incapacitated” by their wounds and managed to escape down the hallway while a teacher attempted to help. Both wounded students were 12 and 13 years old, according to police.

The knife-wielding suspect initially fled the scene but was arrested by deputies near the school within seven minutes, the Walton County Sheriff’s office said.

Two seventh-grade students were seriously injured in the attack. One was flown to a hospital, and the other was taken to trauma, according to Sheriff Adkinson.

“Immediately, life-saving aid was being rendered to the two most seriously injured individuals," Sheriff Adkinson said.

The paraprofessional was admitted to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. Authorities have not released her age.

At the time of the attack, the middle school was not fully open, and only about 40 students were on campus.

The sheriff did not comment on a possible motive or whether the student had a prior history of concerning behavior. Authorities have not yet filed charges but emphasized there is no further threat to the community.