A 15-year-old boy who was stabbed outside his D.C. high school Wednesday has died, authorities said.
"I'm saddened to report that we've lost one of our children," D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said at the scene. "We've lost one of our children to a senseless act of violence in front of one of our schools."
First responders were called to KIPP DC College Preparatory at 1405 Brentwood Parkway NE just after 3 p.m. Police said the victim appeared to have been involved in a fight in front of the school.
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The teen was stabbed in the chest and transported to a hospital, according to police.
"I'm sure that whatever the underlying issue is, it's not going to be something that a kid, a 15-year-old kid, should've lost his life over," Contee said.
A 16-year-old who also goes to KIPP DC College Preparatory is in custody as a person of interest in the case.
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At the time of the stabbing, an off-duty D.C. police officer was working inside the public charter school, Contee said.
"That officer inside of the school noticed that the kids from the school had not immediately departed the area. He requested the assistance of additional Metropolitan Police officers," he said.
KIPP DC College Preparatory will be closed Thursday, but counselors will be available virtually to meet with students, Principal Renee Young said in a letter to families.
Jay Brown runs a nonprofit organization in the District called Community Shoulders. He said he was worried that something like this might happen when schools reopened.
“During the pandemic, a lot of these young people have experienced loss of caretakers, domestic violence. They have also had inter-community violence that they had to deal with,” Brown said.
Contee said he believes the focus should be on helping "young people in the city resolve conflict peacefully without resulting to the use of a knife, a gun or violence."
The stabbing occurred on the third day of school.
"My deepest condolences to both families involved in this situation because whether you are the perpetrator of the crime or the deceased person in this case, it's sad. Period. Because this is something that did not have to happen," Contee said.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
