Stabbing at bus stop causes some Hilliard schools to close and lock down Monday
HILLIARD, Ohio ( WCMH ) – Four elementary schools are closed Monday after reports of a stabbing and heavy police activity in Hilliard and northwest Columbus.
According to police, officers responded to reports of a stabbing at 7:25 a.m. in the 4900 block of Springdale Boulevard. One victim, a juvenile, was hospitalized with a wound to the stomach, and they were taken to a Downtown, Columbus hospital.
Police have not yet confirmed the age the victim, but did confirm that both parties involved are male and under the age of 18. The scene, which included caution tape attached to a school bus, was cleared just after 10:30 a.m.
Investigators say the incident was between two juveniles at a bus stop, when one student was stabbed. Witnesses said the male accused of the stabbing is a white with blond hair.
The suspect is not in custody and police have a drone surveying the area. As well, police have contacted the suspect's parents in the hopes of locating him.
Due to the search for the suspect, Hilliard City Schools announced that four elementary schools – Crossing, Scioto Darby, Becaon and JW Reason – are closed Monday, due to heavy police activity in the area.
In addition, Heritage Middle School, Darby High School, Station, ILC, and the HUB are on a level one lockdown. The school district said parents wanting to pick up their kids from the schools are allowed to do so but students who drove to school will remain locked down. Another update is expected by 1:30 p.m. regarding dismissal. Outdoor activities have been canceled at Darby, Heritage, and Station.
Students who are already present at the schools will be cared for until a parent or guardian is able to pick them up. Hilliard Schools also confirmed that all students and staff are safe, but as a precaution, those mentioned buildings will be in a level one lockdown.
In an updated statement, district representative said the following:
"Due to a police situation in the Cross Creek area, you may notice an increased police presence at all our schools today. Out of an abundance of caution, we have closed four elementary schools: Crossing, Scioto Darby, JW Reason, and Beacon. The buses did run in these neighborhoods, so if your student was outside waiting, they were picked up and taken to school. All students in those schools are being cared for and will be fed. If your building is closed, please go to the school and pick the students up."
"Heritage Middle School, Darby High School, Station, ILC, and the HUB are on a level one lockdown. This means no one can come in or out of those buildings. Students are not being dismissed from any schools, other than the closed buildings."
No one else was hurt during the incident and the victim's condition is listed as stable.
