WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – A 15-year-old girl was arrested Tuesday on a second-degree attempted homicide charge after she stabbed her ex-boyfriend at Winter Springs High School, police said.
Loida Lalinde, of Casselberry, was also arrested on charges of interference with school functions, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon on school property.
A 16-year-old student was also arrested and faces charges of accessory after the fact of second-degree attempted homicide and tampering with evidence. Police said he tried to help Lalinde hide and destroyed her cellphone.
The victim, who was stabbed in the back with a steak knife, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, Winter Springs police said.
"Right now he's good, he just got out of the hospital with stitches and he's going home," said friend Amber Hyatt.
According to police, Lalinde and the stabbing victim recently broke up, and she took a steak knife from home to school and stabbed him in retaliation.
"[Lalinde] waited until second period and then when classes were released, she was waiting for the individual," said Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle. "She made contact with our victim, and then something was said, he turned his back, was stabbed in back with steak knife."
"It appears to be past relationships," said Brunelle. "Angry with him."
Lalinde ran away after the stabbing but was found a short time later behind the school with the 16-year-old and both were taken into custody, according to police.
The stabbing happened around 8 a.m., prompting Seminole Public Schools to tweet alerts.
"Male Student stabbed by female student @BearNationWSHS in apparent relationship dispute. Female student in custody," the school district tweeted.
Some students witnessed the stabbing.
"I see a kid walking up to the front office, and he had a huge laceration and a huge blood mark on the back of his shirt," a student said. "I know some of my friends did hear the screaming, and basically, the kid was obviously in a lot of pain."
Seminole County Public Schools sent a message to parents, alerting them of the stabbing.
"(Tuesday) morning, during a class changeover, a female student stabbed a male student in what is being described as a relationship dispute. The female student was immediately taken into custody by law enforcement and the male student received non-life-threatening wounds and is currently being treated. This is a singular incident and all other students are safe and back conducting their normal school day."
Police released radio transmissions from their response at the school.
"Send units to the high school, just got a report that a student got stabbed," an officer told the dispatcher. "Can you send FD towards the clinic? I believe they may have an injured party there."
Brunelle said a dedicated school resource officer staffs the school every day.
Students told News 6 they've been in the news too much lately - for fires in the bathroom, bomb threats, and a gang rape behind the school earlier this year.
"They're just saying Winter Springs is turning into something crazy," said former student Jesus Santiago, whose brother and sister still attend Winter Springs High. "Things were bad before this."
"They should be taking this seriously because anyone can bring a knife to school and hurt somebody," said student Marshall Phers.
Brunelle said things are under control at the school.
"Well personally I don't see things are out of control," said Brunelle. "What you have is a small city, 2500-3000 students on a daily basis that are garnered up and if you did any kind of research you would see it goes on everywhere across this country. It's far from being out of control, every incident we have investigated and made several arrests. It's unfortunate it's happening at our schools but that's just what we're dealing with today."
"Does the school need more officers?" asked News 6's Erik von Ancken.
"They haven't asked for any. We do extra patrols on all our schools just because of what's happening around the world."
The school is located at 130 Tuskawilla Road.
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