Sauk Rapids Police: 8-year-old brought knife to school, 'randomly cut' 3 students

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. (KMSP) - An 8-year-old boy brought a kitchen knife to Pleasantview Elementary School in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota and "randomly cut" three students Monday morning, according to police. The incident was reported at 7:15 a.m.

Police said the injuries were minor and school staff had the four involved students in the office when police officers arrived. Two of the students who suffered cut wounds were taken to St. Cloud Hospital by their parents and were treated and released. The victims ages are 8, 9 and 13.

The attack lasted approximately five minutes and happened in the hallway as students were heading to class, according to an email to parents from Pleasantview Principal Aby Froiland.

The suspect student was taken into custody by Sauk Rapids Police and interviewed. The suspect student was taken into custody by the Sauk Rapids Police and released to his parents. The case will be forwarded to the Benton County Attorney's Office.

Pleasantview parents shared this message they received from the principal:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This morning we had an unfortunate and scary incident that happened before school started. A Pleasantview primary-aged student entered the building and upon putting away his backpack, he pulled out a knife and began striking students with it. The incident lasted approximately 5 minutes and resulted in three students being injured and the aggressor was contained in the office. Police, ambulance and parents were called and responded. The parents of the three injured students chose to transport their children either home or to receive further medical attention.

The incident took place in the hallway as students were heading to class. Therefore, we are unsure of the exact students that may have witnessed the incident. Currently, we are working with school support staff to identify and provide support to staff and students that may have been impacted by this incident. We have mental health professionals available, please contact the school if you feel it would be helpful for these professionals to reach out to your child. In addition, know in situations like this our discipline policy is applied and aggressive students are not allowed in the building.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools superintendent also sent a message to district families:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This morning we had an unfortunate incident that happened before school started. A Pleasantview primary-aged student entered the building and upon putting away his backpack, he pulled out a knife and began striking students with it. The incident resulted in three students being injured and the aggressor was contained in the office. Police, ambulance and parents were called and responded. The parents of the three injured students chose to transport their children either home or to receive further medical attention.

The incident took place in the hallway as students were heading to class. Currently, we are working with school support staff to identify and provide support to staff and students that may have been impacted by this incident. Mental health professionals are available on site at Pleasantview Elementary. Please know in situations like this the District's discipline policy is applied and aggressive students are not allowed in the building(s).