UPDATE: The teen killed in the fatal stabbing has been identified as Justin Brooks, 14, of Jennings, Missouri.
JENNINGS, Mo. — Authorities are currently investigating the fatal stabbing of a young boy near Rose Mary Johnson Jennings Junior High School, located on Cozens Avenue. The event, which took place just after 3 p.m. Tuesday on the 2400 block of Hord, a short distance from the school, has shocked the local community.
The victim, a 14-year-old student from Jennings Junior High School, suffered a stab wound to the chest during an altercation. School resource officers, who were immediately on the scene following the emergency call, provided the first medical treatment to the boy. Despite being rushed to the hospital for life-saving treatment, the young boy succumbed to his injuries.
As of now, the circumstances leading up to the stabbing remain unclear. However, St. Louis County Police have indicated that the incident does not seem to be random. This has raised concerns among residents, as fights involving school-aged children in the area are reportedly not uncommon.
In response to the incident, St. Louis County Police have announced plans to increase patrols around the school in the coming days to ensure the safety of students and staff. The Jennings School District is also taking measures to support the school community, with a crisis team being made available at the school today.
The stabbing incident in Jennings comes just days after a separate violent altercation near Hazelwood East High School, where a brawl between two teenage girls left one student in critical condition and another in custody. Currently, no suspects are in custody in connection with the Jennings stabbing, as police continue their investigation into the matter.
Local authorities and the Jennings School District are committed to doing everything possible to assist and protect students in the wake of this tragedy. The community is left mourning the loss of a young life and seeking answers to prevent such incidents in the future.
