A 16-year-old student, Waleed Emad Essakhi, has been charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon following a stabbing incident at Foss High School in Tacoma, Washington, on Thursday. The charges were filed in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday, where a judge determined Essakhi would be tried as an adult.
The incident began after Essakhi allegedly stole a vape pen from a fellow student the previous day at a skatepark. Four of the victim’s friends later approached him in retaliation. Surveillance footage reviewed by authorities shows Essakhi allegedly pulling an object from his pocket before the confrontation escalated. None of the victims were armed.
Five people were injured, including four students and a security guard. One victim suffered a stab wound to the side, requiring emergency surgery to remove a portion of a lung. Another student underwent surgery for a cut on his arm. The security guard sustained a cut on his arm, while other students had stab wounds and cut lips. Authorities initially reported that multiple victims suffered critical and non-critical injuries.
Tacoma Public Schools placed the campus on lockdown at 1:38 p.m., with students released at 2:45 p.m. The school was used as a reunification site for families, and classes and activities were canceled the following day. Counselors were made available to support students.
Essakhi’s mother stated that her son had recently transferred to Foss High School after being bullied and getting into fights at his previous school. The incident has raised questions about school safety and the underlying tensions that may have contributed to the altercation.