North Wales, Pennsylvania – A 13-year-old student at Pennbrook Middle School is now facing charges for what authorities are calling an unprovoked attack on a classmate. The incident unfolded in the school cafeteria around 1:15 in the afternoon, resulting in serious head injuries to the 12-year-old victim.
According to Upper Gwynedd Police, the 13-year-old allegedly used a Stanley metal mug to violently assault the younger student without any prior provocation. The victim was subsequently hospitalized, with surveillance footage showing them with a bleeding head.
Following the incident, school administrators placed the school on a hold while law enforcement and medical personnel responded to the scene to restore calm. The school day eventually resumed, but officials made the school’s counseling services and a traumatic event response team available for students who may have been affected by the violence.
In a letter to parents, the middle school principal initially referred to the incident as a “physical altercation”. However, the district superintendent later sent a follow-up email explaining that the principal would meet with each grade to discuss the events witnessed by students.
Concerned parents expressed shock and anger over the attack, with one mother describing receiving a distressing text message from her son during the incident. Another parent raised questions about the school’s response to prior threats made against students, suggesting that earlier intervention could have prevented the violence.
The community is grappling with the aftermath of the assault, with some parents demanding answers and assurance of their children’s safety in the wake of the incident. The school board has scheduled a meeting to address concerns and discuss next steps in ensuring the well-being of students and preventing similar incidents in the future.