5th grader accused of stabbing classmate at Boyle Heights school

BOYLE HEIGHTS, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - A fifth-grader was charged with attempted murder on Friday for allegedly stabbing another fifth-grade boy at a Boyle Heights elementary school.

The 11-year-old boy is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Eastlake Juvenile Court on the attempted murder charge, along with a felony count of bringing or possessing a weapon on school grounds, according to Greg Risling of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

The stabbing occurred Thursday at Bridge Street Elementary School, according to school police. The fifth-grader was stabbed with a pocket knife.

"We made the arrest of the boy who stabbed the other boy and transported him to juvenile hall,'' Sgt. George Sandoval of the Los Angeles Unified School District police said this morning. "The other boy remains in the hospital.''

The injured child was last reported in stable condition and Sandoval said there should be an update on his condition later Friday.

There was no word on what precipitated the attack.

Crisis counselors were on hand at the school Friday.

"The entire L.A. Unified family is saddened by the tragic incident involving two students at Bridge Street Elementary School yesterday,'' Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Michelle King said in a statement. "Student safety is paramount and remains our top priority. Our thoughts go out to the entire school community, especially the victim.

"While the law enforcement investigation continues, the District is providing support for students and staff, including those who may have witnessed the incident,'' King said. "Crisis counselors are at the school today. All schools have a Safe School Plan in place, and this plan will be included in the recovery process at Bridge Street Elementary School.''