Police: Principal stabbed by eighth grader during graduation rehearsal

A 14-year-old male student was arrested Friday morning for allegedly stabbing his principal in the chest during an eighth grade graduation rehearsal.

The Rutherford, N.J., Police Department said in a statement that officers arrived at nearby Washington School around 9:30 a.m. after a report of a stabbing during the preparation for Union School’s ceremony. 

Union School Principal Kurt Schweitzer was in the gym with students when “the assailant ran across the gym and proceeded to thrust the knife, striking the chest of the principal several times,” police said in a press release.{mosads}

Police said the suspect then turned around, dropped the knife and put his hands in the air.

A teacher secured the weapon — a folding knife — and escorted the attacker outside until police arrived, according to the statement.

The principal was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

The student was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. It was not immediately clear what sparked the attack.

“The Rutherford Police Department is confident there are no remaining threats to any students or faculty,” the statement said. “However given today’s events the Rutherford Police Department will have a presence at Wednesday night’s graduation.”

Updated June 15, 11:25 a.m.