Trigger Warning: The article mentions details about stabbing.
Arizona witnessed a shocking incident where two 10-year-old and two 11-year-old girls were arrested after they were allegedly planning to stab a male classmate following a breakup, according to a newly released police report. The incident happened during the fall season on October 1, 2024, but is only now coming to light.
The incident occurred at the Legacy Traditional School’s West Surprise campus.
During the school’s recess, authorities say the girls discussed their plan in detail, including luring the boy to a bathroom and stabbing him in the stomach. While they thought it was a joke at first, the conversation got serious when they started talking about “just ending him.” The same day, school authorities were alerted, and police interviewed the girls with their parents present, as their bagpacks were also searched individually.
As per The Atlanta Black Star, the first three girls showed remorse and were apologetic, but the fourth one and her parents were least bothered and laughed while the cops were questioning her.
Meanwhile, what was the motive for the crime? Reportedly, one of the girls from the group was in an alleged relationship with the boy they were planning to stab. Yet, a recent breakup between that girl and the intended victim, along with accusations of cheating, fueled the horrible plan.
The conspiracy reportedly involved specific roles for each girl: one would bring the knife, another would fake a suicide note, one would act as a lookout, and another would carry out the stabbing. They even planned to wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. All four girls were arrested on charges of making threats and disorderly conduct and were released into the custody of their parents.
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The girls are now suspended from attending classes, and they could face possible expulsion. Legacy Traditional School, which is a part of a network of public charter schools in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, issued a public statement immediately, addressed the disturbing incident, and urged the well-being of the students and their parents.
As per the outlet, their official statement read, “Due to federal student privacy laws, we cannot discuss individual student disciplinary matters,” the school’s statement read. “As outlined in the Legacy Student Code of Conduct, any student who makes or shares a threat may face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.”
Meanwhile, after the incident, Travis Webb, a licensed clinical therapist, spoke about the reason behind such incidents and highlighted a few factors of how these crimes can be much more serious than most people think.
He talked about brain development and added, “Their brains are underdeveloped at 10, 11 years old,” Webb said. “The female brain isn’t even quite half developed, the part of the brain that regulates emotion. That kind of talks sense into this. It’s early 20s before the female brain is finished developing.” (via WSFA).
Webb also stressed a common concern: how kids these days are easily exposed to violence and the dark side of popular culture due to social media. “2025 is different than 1995. It’s different than 1975,” he said. “They don’t really come up with this on their own. They don’t think violently. They certainly don’t think about gloves and fingerprints and suicide notes,” he added.
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Travis Webb urged parents not to give unsupervised internet access to minor children and leave them alone. He requested the parents to keep a watch on what their kids are doing on their electronic devices and was hopeful that they were involved and aware of their kids’ whereabouts.
Furthermore, therapist Travis Webb also urged parents to create a safe environment for their kids where they can express themselves.
A place where kids can be questioned if they have considered hurting someone, and if they say yes by any chance, parents should not make them feel intimidated but relatively assured for voicing out their thoughts in an honest manner.
Alas, FBI data reveal that crimes against minors across the United States have increased in recent years. Nearly 10 percent more American juveniles were accused of violent crimes last year compared to 2022, and almost 30 percent more were involved in property crimes during the same period.
This is a developing incident that highlights growing concerns about youth violence across America, as police are working toward a solution. Stay tuned for further updates on it.
