Knife Incident at Central High School on Thursday — Second in Less Than Four Weeks

Knife Incident at Central High School on Thursday — Second in Less Than Four Weeks

For the second time in less than four weeks, Central High School in Providence had a knife incident.

It occurred on Thursday afternoon, and school principal Robert DiMuccio sent the following letter to parents. 

"I am writing today to inform you about an incident that took place at Central this afternoon. School administrators quickly responded to an altercation that involved three students in the school shortly after dismissal. In an isolated incident when most students had left the school building, a student in possession of a knife fought another.

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The School Resource Officer on site and an assistant principal immediately responded to the situation and broke up the fight. An ambulance was called to the scene to provide medical assistance to those involved. One student received treatment at the school, and as a precaution was then sent to the hospital for further evaluation. 

At this time, we do not have evidence of a continued threat to school safety. The matter remains under investigation. The safety and well-being of our students remains our utmost priority. While classes are not scheduled for tomorrow, we want to ensure that you know you may still reach out with questions or concerns to Central’s main office."

Providence Police are now investigating. 

 

Prior Incident

This comes just weeks after GoLocal first reported about a fight involving multiple students -- that ultimately led to DiMuccio being stabbed. 

GoLocal published a video depicting a juvenile first being assaulted by other students, before getting up from the ground -- and removing a knife from his pocket. 

"He's got a knife!" someone can be heard shouting on the video, as the juvenile goes running through the halls before being confronted by DiMuccio.

A struggle then ensues between DiMuccio and the student. The student was taken into custody after the stabbing. 

That student who stabbed DiMuccio is facing multiple charges, including:

* assault on a school teacher causing serious bodily injury (FELONY)
* one count of resisting arrest
* one count of possession of a weapon on school grounds (FELONY)

GoLocal later learned that one of the three involved in the initial fight, but was not involved with the stabbing of DiMuccio, was being held at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections intake center and is being charged as an adult.

That student is 18-year-old Deandre Tolson — who has a prior record as an adult. 

Court records show that Tolson was arrested in February of this year on simple assault and disorderly conduct charges — both misdemeanors. 

Tolson posted bail on February 23 with $1,000 personal recognizance. 

In September, Tolson was back in court as a bail violator, after records show he had been arrested for “driving without consent of owner” — a felony charge. 

Tolson was then arrested by Providence Police on December 6 for the November 30 assault at Central — and was held without bail. 

"Our records show this person is here at the Intake Service Center awaiting trial," Department of Corrections spokesperson J.R. Ventura told GoLocal in mid-December. 

In a letter to parents following the first incident, school officials said the following. 

“Police arrived quickly and the students involved were removed from campus. Once police helped determine that there was no additional safety risk, the school day resumed.

The students involved in today’s incident will receive appropriate support and resources to address this behavior. School mental health support staff are available to any students who may have been upset by today’s events.”