Last fall, a group of fifth-grade students at the Legacy Traditional School in Surprise, Arizona, were arrested following an alleged plot to murder a fellow student. The police report revealed that four students were accused of planning to fatally stab a classmate and make it look like a suicide. The plan was uncovered when a parent reported overhearing the group discussing their intentions on October 1, 2024.
The school initiated an investigation the next morning, during which it was discovered that one of the accused students, a girl, had a strained relationship with the intended victim, a boy who had reportedly cheated on her. The girl expressed her hatred towards him and desire for his demise.
According to the report, the students were overheard discussing their plan to lure the boy to a bathroom and stab him in the stomach while wearing gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. They also planned to forge a suicide note. One student admitted to initially making light of the conversation but backed off as it became clear that the others were serious.
Following the incident, the four students, aged 10 and 11, were arrested on charges of threatening and disorderly conduct. They were released to their parents’ custody and faced suspension pending possible expulsion. While three students and their families expressed remorse and apologized, one student and her parent appeared indifferent to the situation.
In response to the incident, Legacy Traditional School emphasized the importance of student safety and stated that they take disciplinary matters seriously, in accordance with the Legacy Student Code of Conduct. Despite concerns raised by the parent of the victim, the school maintained its commitment to addressing the issue while ensuring student privacy.
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