BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 17-year-old girl is in serious condition after she was allegedly stabbed multiple times by another student at Buffalo School of Culinary Arts on W. Huron Street Tuesday.

Police say that at approximately 12:15 p.m., a 16-year-old female student allegedly stabbed the 17-year-old inside of a classroom. The 17-year-old was transported to Oishei Children’s Hospital and treated for back injuries and a punctured lung. The 16-year-old suspect was placed in police custody, arraigned and held without bail.

The school was put in a “shelter in place” procedure following the incident.

On Wednesday morning, the 16-year-old suspect was arraigned on one count of assault in the first degree and one count of criminal possession of a weapon.

“The fact that this assault allegedly occurred at a school after we just started for less than a week now of school is also serious and disturbing,” John Flynn, Erie County District Attorney, said. “Bringing a steak knife to school and stabbing another student three times is harsh as well. I have to meet harsh punishment with harsh action.”

News 4 has learned that the weapon used was brought into the school and the alleged attacker has a history of violent behavior. In addition, superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams recently sent a letter asking that all middle and high school students be scanned with a wand before entering school buildings, but some question the effectiveness of this strategy.

“How could they wand everybody correctly if its only two or three people wanding six, seven, eight, nine hundred students? I think the district is caught in a tough spot: get everyone in the school safely and how do we start school on time,” Edward Speidel, president of the District Parent Coordinating Council (DPCC), said.

Buffalo Public School parents say they don’t understand why continued acts of violence happen during the school day. This latest incident took place just seven days after the first bell.

Sources close to the district say the suspect was expelled from another Buffalo School for sexual assault. According to sources, the student has been flagged for aggressive behaviors.

Buffalo Public Schools declined News 4’s request for comment Wednesday, but issued the following statement on Tuesday:

The teen is scheduled to return to court at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19 for a felony hearing. She was held without bail.

“I am upset that a new school year has started with this violent incident. I want the youth in our community to understand that there are serious consequences to engaging in any criminal behavior – especially inside of a school. This violent behavior will not be tolerated and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases in Youth Part. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim of this attack. I hope that she makes a full and swift recovery,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

An unfortunate and isolated incident occurred today at Buffalo High School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality #355. The Buffalo Police Department Security Resource Officers were immediately contacted, and the school was placed in “shelter in place” mode for security measures, to investigate the incident. The Buffalo Public School District takes any violent offenses occurring on school grounds very seriously and will follow the Code of Conduct with disciplinary measures. All BPS staff implemented appropriate protocols. Further information regarding the incident may be issued later by BPD.

Buffalo Public Schools