‘We are not safe’: Henrico highschoolers prove ‘Warriors’ is more than a mascot, call for change after student stabbed

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Henrico High School student is still in the hospital after being stabbed by a peer on campus last week. At Thursday night's Henrico County School Board meeting, several "Warriors" lived up to their mascot's namesake -- turning their fear into motivation for change.

"Seeing the aftermath of it all … the poorly cleaned up crime scene and still seeing the dried-up blood on the pavement and on the door ... as I saw this … it spoke something to me: We are not safe," said one Henrico High senior during the meeting's public forum section.

It's been more than a week since the incident on Wednesday, Dec. 4, but the scars are still there and many questions remain unanswered.

Henrico County Police are still investigating what type of sharp object the teenage boy was critically injured with. The student accused of stabbing him has since been charged with two felonies.

However, authorities also still don't know how the weapon got on school property.

"Truth is, we need stronger, more effective safeguards in place to ensure we feel safe every single day," said another student, Makenzie Nelson, at the podium.

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All Henrico County Public Schools have weapons detectors -- but some students said that this recent incident highlights some flaws in the system.

"I've observed, at the weapons scanners, [that] security doesn't check bags that are flagged red and [they] often ignore them," said freshman Logan Corry. "I've also seen fellow students skip the scanners without consequences. What use are the rules when people just choose to ignore them?"

Students argued there should be more "visible security" measures present. Some also called for stronger cell phone restriction policies with "clear and severe" consequences for misuse. Other students urged a closer look at social media behavior.

"[The aftermath of the incident] brought to my attention how inhumane the situation was," one student said. "It was being broadcasted on social media platforms, such as Instagram and Twitter, with his unconscious body laying out on the ground, bleeding out while getting medical attention."

That student, a senior, added that healing from trauma isn't a quick process. She suggested students should have been given a couple of days to recover mentally before returning to school.

"I experienced a sense of unnatural silence within the school," the student said. "I am afraid that if we do not come up with something, we will have more victims with similar stories."

In a statement, a Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson said, in part:

"School administrators hear and understand the concerns of our Henrico High School students and families. Our thoughts are with the young man who was stabbed and his family, friends, and classmates. What happened on campus last week was tragic, and we remain committed to evaluating and strengthening security resources.

Every school in Henrico County has a multi-layered safety plan that includes resources and responses to all types of emergencies, from natural disasters to acts of violence. These school-specific plans are developed with consideration of several factors, including (but not limited to) the layout of the school building and campus, surrounding areas, student enrollment, staff training, and available safety/security resources. Weapon scanners are one element of the larger school safety plan as a deterrent on school campuses."

The spokesperson elaborated on the decision to not close the school in the days following the incident.

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"At Henrico High School, our students continue to grapple with a range of emotions, including anger, anxiety, and sorrow. The decision to keep the school open in the days following the incident was made to ensure support services were available to students who may otherwise have been home alone during the school day. The police assured us there was no ongoing physical threat on campus, and for many students, the school was the best place to be with their friends and the teachers who love them in a place where there was an outpouring of support from professionals who are trained in dealing with trauma. School-based mental health professionals were at school all week and were available for anyone - student or adult - who may have needed assistance. Other resources, including teletherapy, remain available at no cost to families through the Henrico CARES partnership with the County and local health providers."

The school system sent over a detailed list of security measures in place:

"Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) does not publicly share specifics of individual school’s multi-layered safety plans because doing so potentially diminishes their effectiveness. However, in partnership with the Henrico County Police Division, HCPS is continuously working to evaluate and enhance the safety of our schools. Here are some of the ways we are strengthening our practices:

• School Resource Officers and Security Personnel: HCPS recently added 95 additional safety staff members across the school division. School Resource Officers (SRO) are sworn police officers assigned to all middle and high schools to help deter crime, conduct investigations, and enforce Virginia law. They work closely with our school security officers (SSO), who are HCPS employees working at every school across Henrico, to support safety by assisting with weapon scanners, performing safety checks, and monitoring the building and hallways throughout the school day. 
• Advanced Safety Technology: All schools have cameras, “buzz-in” systems, and enhanced sign-in processes requiring photo IDs. We have also installed secure vestibule entryways to add an extra layer of protection. Weapons scanners are used at all HCPS schools during student arrival and for visitor entry during the day. The HCPS safety office and school administrators monitor the arrival process and can adjust entry procedures with regard to the placement of weapon scanners. Following Wednesday’s incident at Henrico High School, a review of safety protocols at the school is taking place.
• Building Security Upgrades: Over the last two years, HCPS has invested $5.2 million to implement safety commission recommendations. Recent upgrades include new security cameras, emergency radios, monitored alarm systems, controlled access to specific areas, and digital maps for first responders. Additional measures, such as more card readers for doors and communication devices, have also been implemented.
• Emergency Preparedness: HCPS staff participate in regular emergency training and conduct safety drills for various scenarios, such as fires, tornadoes, and intruders. We have established threat-assessment teams, crisis response teams, and a rapid notification system to ensure swift communication during emergencies."