A California community is still reeling after a day with multiple violent attacks at a local school. On October 23, 2025, three people, including a staff member, were injured after a stabbing and a physical fight at Watsonville High School. As a result, four students were arrested. Students were sent home from school following the incidents, and many were rightfully scared to return. As a parent, I don’t know if I would immediately let my child return to school after something so scary either.
Approximately 450 students didn’t attend classes at Watsonville High School on October 24, KSBW reported. Many of them feared for their safety after the stabbing and fight, and there were alleged reports of more violence taking place on campus that day. There are allegedly online rumors of a shooting happening at the school, but police investigated the claim and found it not credible.
“This is obviously a very traumatizing event, we will have mental health supports and counseling on hand,” district superintendent Heather Contreras said.
According to the outlet, the week prior to the stabbing and fight, a student reportedly brandished a gun on the school campus. Security and police patrol on campus was heightened in light of what had happened, but parents and students still expressed concerns over safety in general.
The morning of chaos began around 10 when multiple agencies were called to a stabbing on campus, KSBW reported. A 16-year-old boy was being held down by a staff member after apparently stabbing both a 14-year-old student and a staff security guard. He was quickly arrested by police.
The boy is being held on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Police said both of the stabbing victims are going to be fine.
Within minutes, another physical incident took place. This time, it was three students physically attacking another student. Police believe these two incidents were connected because one of the attackers had run away from the scene of the stabbing, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Those three students were arrested.
The suspects, one 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds, were arrested and charged with felony battery, conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon. Although the beating didn’t involve a weapon, “the force used was so great that it amounted to the use of a deadly weapon,” Watsonville Police Chief David Rodriguez said.
All four teens have been booked into juvenile hall.
During the incidents, the school was placed on lockdown, which was terrifying and confusing for the students.
“It was scary at first cause we didn’t know what was going on,” one Watsonville student told KSBW.
“It’s kind of scary when you drive by and see half of the police force here and a fire truck,” a parent said.
Parents received emails asking them to come pick up their students if they were able. At 12:25 p.m., students were being picked up or bused home.
Police are still investigating the incidents and are trying to see if there’s a connection between them and the gun that was brought to school. In the meantime, listening sessions have been set up for the district to hear parents express their concerns.
