Student Arrested After Knife Robbery At High School: Pierce County Sheriff

SPANAWAY, WA - A 17-year-old student at Spanaway Lake High School was arrested Thursday morning after he tried to rob another student at knifepoint in a school bathroom, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office is reporting. The incident happened around 7:45 a.m., and police believe the robbery might've been a ruse so that the suspect could randomly stab the student.

The suspect was waiting in a stall in the bathroom armed with a 9-inch steak knife. When he was sure there was only one other student in the bathroom, the suspect emerged from the stall and demanded the other student's wallet.

The victim fled the restroom, but the suspect remained in the hallway wielding the knife. He was later disarmed by students and detained by school staff. A Pierce County school resource officer responded to the scene and was able to find out that the suspect had been researching how to stab someone. The suspect was apparently suffering from mental health issues and delusions.

He was arrested on charges of first-degree attempted robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon at school, and intimidation. He was taken to Remann Hall. No one was injured during the incident.

The high school is located along 168th Street East in central Spanaway.

Image via Pierce County Sheriff