Teen Stabbed At East Ridge H.S. In Critical Condition
WOODBURY, Minn. (WCCO) — A teenager is in critical condition after a fight broke out at the end of a high school basketball game.
The 16-year-old was stabbed several times after North St. Paul beat Tartan High School for a trip to the state tournament.
Police are now trying to find the people responsible.
East Ridge High school was the host of the sectional boys' basketball game pitting North St. Paul against Tartan. It was after the game -- after a celebration was captured on a spectator's cell phone -- that a fight with words turned violent.
"An altercation started in the vestibule as guest were leaving the school and officers were alerted right away since it was in our jurisdiction we did have some officers there on scene they actually noticed the commotion right away and were able to respond," Woodbury Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Okada said.
Officers found the 16-year-old victim on the ground. He was taken to Regions Hospital where he is in stable but critical condition. Police say he was stabbed at least three times.
"Students from various schools, not actually students from our community, were in attendance at this game," Okada said.
Because East Ridge is a host school, most of the students at the game do not live in Woodbury.
Two people were taken into custody after the stabbing and released. Police say they were not directly involved.
Investigators hope help from people who saw the fight and images caught on camera will help flush out those responsible.
"We're pouring through surveillance video we very fortunate that there is a lot of surveillance video as well as witnesses have provided video provided video and because these students are from other areas they are not as known to us so we are working with other law enforcement agencies," Okada said.
"I think it's ridiculous that people would find time during a sporting event where you are supposed to enjoy yourself see people compete and go and assault them and start hurting people," North St. Paul High School Senior Nick Balfanz said.
"Solve your problems with words or let it go," North St. Paul High School Senior Dillon Muegee said.
Woodbury police hope school resource officers from various schools can help identify the people they are looking for.
Investigators will continue to speak with witnesses and search through video to identify witnesses and persons of interest.
If you have any information about the stabbing, police would like to speak with you.
