COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Two students were hurt and three students were taken into custody after a stabbing at a Fulton County school.
Around 9 a.m. an altercation at Banneker High School led to the stabbing. The students sustained non-life-threatening injuries, a district spokesperson said.
Fulton County Schools Police were on site and a lockdown was initiated while school administrators and police were investigating, they said.
Students said after the lockdown, they were brought to the auditorium and had to walk past blood in the hallway.
A scary situation not only for them – but their parents too.
"These kids are in their scared and we don't really know what happened," Yolanda Johnson said, who has been concerned for her 16-year-old daughter's safety at the high school.
"She's felt unsafe here for the past three months at this school. Before every holiday, I've had to keep her out or pick her up early because there have been numerous fights a day," she said.
Banneker High School is in Union City but many students come from the City of South Fulton.
South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau showed up at the high school just after the stabbing and told 11Alive he was hearing it stemmed from an incident outside of the school.
"From the texts that I received this originated with an incident or confrontation, the things that happen in neighborhoods trickle into our schools and vice versa," he said.
Johnson said after her daughter called her, she got an alert from the school but she still feels like it wasn't enough. And until she feels safe – her daughter won't be going back.
"She's coming out right now and she's not coming back. They need to let these kids go virtual until they figure out how safe they really are here," Johnson said.
Banneker High School Principal Jason Stamper sent a letter to parents and students Wednesday evening following the stabbing.
The letter states in part, "Let me be extremely clear, when it comes to the safety of this building, I am resolute to take all necessary steps for my students and staff. For instance, during the investigation, we decided to hold all students in their classes. Once the investigation was complete, students were able to resume their regular schedule; however, movement in the building was restricted."
Stamper added that safety continues to be the school's top priority.
"The senseless act of violence that occurred today is not who we are at Banneker High School. Some students made a poor choice today and because of it, our students and our school community have been harmed," Stamper wrote. "Such behaviors will not be tolerated, and our safety team is working in collaboration with school police to make sure that we take all necessary measures to ensure that Banneker remains a safe place for our students to learn and grow."
Stamper is encouraging parents to talk to their students and "if you see something, say something." You can also submit an anonymous tip to Fulton County Schools online.