STATEN ISLAND: It began with a group of kids marching down Warren Street in Stapleton banging on the hoods of cars as they approached the entrance to Dreyfus Intermediate School (I.S. 49) in Stapleton, according to one witness.
Just minutes prior, the mother of two children at the school, who spoke to the Advance/SILive.com on the condition on anonymity for fear of reprisal, said her daughter exited the building to a quiet scene. Havoc would break out moments later.
One of the four or five children who descended on the school slammed on the mother’s hood, she said — and soon after she began recording.
Individual fights started breaking out, the mother said. Of the dozens of children who were in front of the building, some can be seen in video provided to the Advance/SILive.com delivering wild haymakers.
It isn’t clear from the video how many children are involved, or if one person is being targeted.
As the video cuts out, adults both from inside and outside the school can be seen running toward the chaos.
While the video does not clearly show the altercation, police said a 14-year-old boy was stabbed during the frenetic scene, causing him to take refuge inside the school before being transported to the hospital in stable condition.
A source with knowledge of the investigation told the Advance/SILive.com the victim did not attend I.S. 49.
Amid the confusion, the mother said she began to become concerned that her son — who was still inside the school building — could be caught up in the disarray.
“I was worried about my son that was still in the school,” she said. “When I saw him come out, I ran out to get him.”
The mother said her children are shaken in the wake of the attack, which she claims comes after other fights earlier in the year at the location.
“The kids don’t want to go to school for the rest of the week,” she said. “What am I supposed to do?”
Police are investigating the incident and additional security measures are expected to be in place at the school. No arrests have been made and a description for the suspect is not yet available.
The boy suffered a stab wound to the shoulder and chest and was transported to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton.
“Violence has absolutely no place in our schools, and this senseless act against one of our students is reprehensible,” said Jenna Lyle, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Education, on Monday. “This incident occurred outside the school building during dismissal, and NYPD school safety agents immediately moved to intervene, ensuring all other students and staff are safe.”
“We are offering additional security and mental health support to the school community and working closely with the NYPD in their investigation,” added Lyle.
By Joseph Ostapiuk [SILIVE]
