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Police: 2nd-Grader Brought Knife To School, Cut 3 Students

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. (WCCO) -- Three central Minnesota students were hurt Monday when a second-grader brought a kitchen knife to school.

The shocking incident happened at Pleasantview Elementary in Sauk Rapids just north of St. Cloud. While the injuries are minor, the school district and police responded aggressively to make sure the situation did not escalate.

Sauk Rapids police raced to Pleasantivew Elementary after getting the 911 call at 7:15 Monday morning.

"An 8-year-old student had come to school with a kitchen knife and cut three children in the hallway at random," Chief Perry Beise said.

The three attacks happened in less than a minute. The 8-year-old then, on his own, walked to the school office and put the knife down.

"I don't think he had an intended target when he came to school with a knife. We're not sure exactly why he came to school with a knife," Beise said.

The injured students were in first, fourth and seventh grade. While police describe the injuries as minor, two students were cut in the back of the head and required stitches.

The second-grader was brought to the Sauk Rapids police station and was released to his parents. Police and the school district said they could not release any more details about the boy.

"Hopefully he will receive some treatment," Beise said.

In an email sent home to parents the school district said, "In situations like this the District's discipline policy is applied and aggressive students are not allowed in the building(s)."

Under Minnesota law students under the age of 10 cannot be criminally charged and their cases are handled by social services. At this point the police chief says there is no indication the boy's parents will face any charges.

The school district said counselors were on-site Monday to help students and staff.

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