PHOENIX — A student has died after being stabbed by another student in a Phoenix high school classroom.
Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Phoenix police were called to Maryvale High School, near 59th Avenue and Osborn Road, for a stabbing call.
According to Phoenix police officials, the victim, identified as 16-year-old Michael Montoya II, was attacked and stabbed multiple times in a classroom.
WATCH: City of Phoenix officials provide remarks regarding the deadly stabbing in the video player below
Montoya was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
A second student, identified as the suspect, was taken to a hospital after receiving cuts to his hand during the attack.
During a preliminary investigation, detectives learned Montoya was attacked by the suspect student with a folding pocketknife, believed to have been brought onto campus.
Details of what led to the attack haven't been provided.
The teen suspect has not been named by police and was taken into custody and referred to the Juvenile Court Center.
Video from the scene showed multiple police vehicles outside the campus and areas blocked off by police tape. The school was also placed on lockdown due to the incident.
PD has now put tape up around the entrance and parents say they’re pushing them back from the gate. @abc15 https://t.co/RKcu3khTge pic.twitter.com/HMjlo2ofX0
— Elenee Dao (@Elenee_Dao) August 19, 2025
Lots of frustrated parents lining up outside of Maryvale High School trying to get in. @abc15 https://t.co/k2z3A9Qkwu pic.twitter.com/Y6ZjcwyaNP
— Ford Hatchett (@FordHatchett) August 19, 2025
Councilwoman Betty Guardado provided the following statement regarding the incident:
"I am heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the violent incident that took place today at Maryvale High School. My thoughts are with the student who was injured, their family, and the entire school community as they process this traumatic event.
Classrooms should be a safe place for all students. As a mother and a representative of our community, I want everyone to feel safe at school. Our community stands united in support, and I am committed to working with the school district, community and Phoenix Police to ensure their safety."
State Superintendent Tom Horne provided the following statement:
“The death of a student as the result of a stabbing at Maryvale High School is a terrible tragedy. Schools must be safe places. The on-campus school safety officer responded immediately, rendered aid to the student and did his job well. This terrible incident reinforces my commitment to doing everything possible to make schools safe.”
Phoenix police are asking anyone with video evidence of the incident to submit it to their website.
The investigation remains ongoing.
If you have video of today’s incident or the events leading up to the stabbing at Maryvale High School, please scan the QR code/click link and upload video.https://t.co/2yAA8mpgQB pic.twitter.com/37JDGdotEb
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) August 20, 2025
