LYNN — A student was arrested following the stabbing of a staff member at KIPP Academy on Monday morning.
Larnel Jean Eustach, 18, of Chelsea, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder, mayhem, assault with a dangerous weapon, and other related offenses, according to a statement from the Police Department.
“Lynn Police responded to a report of stabbing at KIPP Academy located at 20 Wheeler St. Officers found that a staff member had been stabbed multiple times by a student,” the statement reads. “The victim of the assault, whose name is not being released, was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”
According to the department, Eustach left the school before police arrived at the scene. Following a short foot pursuit, he was put in police custody.
Following the stabbing, KIPP Academy said in a statement that the school immediately contacted emergency services and placed the campus into a “secure and hold campus movement restriction.” Families were notified of the restriction and KIPP “engaged in a reunification response” in order to dismiss students safely from the campus.
“There is no additional threat or concern of harm to our campus at this time,” the statement from KIPP reads. “The staff member is currently receiving medical care and the student has been placed into custody of the Lynn Police Department.”
Mayor Jared Nicholson entered the building with police shortly after the incident. In a statement, Nicholson thanked the first responders and KIPP staff and educators for their handling of the situation.
“We are deeply saddened and concerned by the incident at KIPP Academy this morning. Our thoughts are with the injured person as well as the entire KIPP community, and the city is here to provide any support that we can,” Nicholson said. “We are grateful for the prompt and professional response of the KIPP team, Lynn Police Department, and emergency medical services.”
Josue Diaz of Eliot Mobile Crisis Intervention, located across the street from the school, offered the organization’s support to anyone affected by the stabbing.
“We’re here to offer our support. Anyone who may find themselves in distress because of what happened, feel free to come to Eliot and we will be happy to help,” Diaz said.
An active investigation is being conducted by the Lynn Police Criminal Investigation Division and Massachusetts State Police personnel.
“We are not seeking any additional suspects,” the statement from the Police Department reads.
“The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority,” the statement from KIPP reads. “We will continue to partner with the Lynn Police Department and follow their recommendations. Our focus at this time is on supporting our community; we are mobilizing counseling and additional support services for students, faculty, and staff today and will continue to provide information on accessing these supports and ensuring access remains available in the days ahead.”
