Tacoma Police Swarm High School After Brutal Mass Stabbing Incident [WATCH]

Pierce County prosecutors filed charges Friday morning against a 16-year-old student accused of stabbing four people, including a security guard, at Foss High School in Tacoma during afternoon classes a day earlier.

Waleed Emad Essakhi, 16, faces five counts of first-degree assault, according to charging documents filed in Pierce County Superior Court.

The filings state that Essakhi is a student at the school where the incident took place.

An arrest report outlines what investigators say occurred leading up to and during the confrontation.

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According to the report, one of the victims sustained the most serious injuries, suffering stab wounds to the chest and side and remaining in the intensive care unit.

Another victim was stabbed in the back, while others suffered cuts and lacerations.

A school security guard told investigators he responded after hearing a call for help.

He ran to a hallway where staff members were attempting to break up a fight involving several students.

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According to the charges, the guard was cut while attempting to disarm Essakhi during the struggle.

Detectives interviewed the victims, who said the incident stemmed from a dispute involving a vape pen that Essakhi allegedly took the day before.

Authorities said the four juvenile victims confronted Essakhi in a hallway at the school, forming what was described as a “semi-circle” around him.

Surveillance video reviewed by investigators captured the interaction before the violence escalated.

“The video shows Essakhi slapping his own face, and bouncing back and forth towards (victim) as if trying to get (victim) to strike first,” the arrest report states.

“At this time, Essakhi’s stance is bladed, and he appears to reach into his pocket on his right side, and appears to withdraw and manipulate an object.

At the same time, Essakhi is using his left hand to slap his face, possibly to divert their attention.”

According to detectives, Essakhi had a knife in his hand when the confrontation turned physical.

The report states the four boys “began to wildly punch Essakhi as he swung the knife at them.”

It further states, “The boys pulled Essakhi into the wall and knocked him to the ground.”

Tacoma police responded to the school as it was placed under lockdown, and all of the victims, along with Essakhi, were transported to the hospital following the incident.

Under Washington law, juveniles who are 16 or 17 years old and charged with serious violent offenses, including first-degree assault, are automatically referred to the adult court system.

During a first appearance hearing, a judge set bail for Essakhi at $750,000.

Classes at Foss High School were canceled Friday following the incident.

Tacoma Public Schools said classes are expected to resume Monday, with additional staff on hand to support students.

The school district addressed the impact of the incident in a statement from Superintendent Josh Garcia.

“Tacoma is a big small town, and connections run deep,” the statement reads.

“Someone you know is likely impacted by this event, and it takes compassion and courage from you to ask how they’re doing. Let’s be good to each other.”

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