WHARTON, Texas – Police say two Wharton ISD students are being treated at the hospital, and three others were arrested after a stabbing at Wharton High School on Wednesday.
Terry David Lynch, the chief of police at Wharton Police Department, said there was a fight between multiple students, and two students ended up stabbed during the altercation.
Wharton ISD’s superintendent Dr. Michael J. O’Guin Sr. released additional details on the stabbing Wednesday afternoon.
O’Guin says 17-year-old Jordi Vasquez was allegedly being jumped by two students. At some time during the physical altercation, Vasquez reportedly pulled out a ‘sharp object’ and stabbed the two students who are now in the hospital.
Jordie Vasquez has since been arrested and charged with tampering with evidence after police say he discarded the weapon while leaving the crime scene.
Additionally, two other students, 17-year-old Leroy Scarlett and 17-year-old Trace Alvarado were both charged with Class A Assault due to their actions during the fight, which involved a few dozen students.
Officials say additional arrests are expected.
Both injured students, who have yet to be identified, are said to be alert and conscious, according to O’Guin. It is unclear if they will face charges after reportedly jumping Vasquez.
O’Guin says one of the students was airlifted to Memorial Herman Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and the second student was transported by ambulance to a local hospital in the area.
The high school and Wharton Junior High were both placed on lockdown, but officials said the incident was initiated by students, not anyone from outside of the school.
All other students have been reported safe, according to officials.
Wharton PD will lead the investigation.
Here’s a message from Wharton ISD for parents who are trying to pick up their children:
“Wharton High School and Wharton Junior High Tiger Parents,
The following is the student reunification information:
The parents of Wharton HS students enter the front entrance of Wharton HS. You must have a valid ID to get your child. Parents will be greeted by district personnel and escorted to the reunification location to pick up their students. Students will only be released to those who are listed on the emergency contact list on the student’s profile page.
The parents of Wharton Junior High students should go to the back side of the Wharton HS campus near the pool. You must have a valid ID to get your child. Parents will be greeted by district personnel and escorted to the reunification location to pick up their student. Students will only be released to those who are listed on the emergency contact list on the student’s profile page. Thanks in advance for your understanding of this situation.”
Here is the statement released to parents regarding the incident:
“October 12, 2022
This afternoon during lunch at Wharton High School, there was a physical altercation that occurred between students. Multiple students were involved. As a result, two students were injured. One student has been transported to a local hospital and one student was transported by life flight for medical attention. We are still working to find out the details of the incident.
Wharton High School and Wharton Junior High School were both placed on lockdown while campus and district police located one of the students that was involved. Life flight has left the facility. The campus lockdown will be lifted soon and both campuses will go into shelter-in-place as we investigate. The only weapon involved was a knife. All other students are safe. Once we begin shelter in place, students will be released via the standard reunification process.
Parents of students at Wharton High School and Wharton Junior High School will be notified when reunification begins. Please follow our district Facebook and webpage. The safety of our students and staff remains our number one priority.
Sincerely,
Michael J. O’Guin, Sr., Ed.D.
Superintendent”