Charges have been filed against an 11-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a classmate in his back at a Boyle Heights elementary school, Los Angeles prosecutors said Friday.
The boy was charged with one count each of attempted murder and bringing or possessing a weapon on school grounds, according to Greg Risling of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
The child is expected to be arraigned Monday.
Officers responded around 10 a.m. Thursday to a reported stabbing at Bridge Elementary School, according to the Los Angeles school police.
The victim, who is 12, according to his family, was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was in stable condition. Relatives said he could be released as early as Friday night.
Police said none of his vital organs were damaged in the attack. Relatives said the blade came close to his kidneys.
Joe Flores said he witnessed the boy being escorted off the campus by police after being arrested. Students and parents at the school said the stabbing took place during recess and the weapon used was possibly a pocket or kitchen knife.
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The boy's grandfather, Antonio Gonzalez, told NBC4's sister station Telemundo 52 that his grandson had been bullied by the boy who attacked him, and the two had fought a day before the stabbing.
"My grandson, what he did was turn his back, he didn't want to fight him," Gonzalez said.
In a letter to parents, the school pincipal said "one student injured another student," but offered few other details regarding the incident.
"It's just scary," said parent Sandra Galvez. "You drop off your kids thinking they're safe and you never know what could happen."
Parents of students at the school told NBC4 that they hoped the boy does not return to the school following the alleged incident.
