CLERMONT, Fla. – A 16-year-old girl was stabbed in the neck Friday night during what police said was a fight between two groups of juveniles in Clermont.
Officers responded around 9:20 p.m. to the area of 5th and Carroll streets, described as near a walking trail, the Clermont Police Department said in a statement.
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Only the victim’s friends had stayed behind as the other juveniles were gone by the time officers arrived, the statement reads.
The officers rendered immediate medical attention for an apparent stab wound to the 16-year-old girl’s neck until the victim could be airlifted to a hospital in Orlando, where she was in stable condition at last check and is expected to make a full recovery, police said, adding her parents have been contacted.
Detectives believe the incident was isolated and presents no danger to the public, as well as that the suspect in the stabbing is a juvenile female known to the victim, according to the statement. All parties involved in the fight were described as juveniles and known associates, police said.
A preliminary investigation has so far suggested that the juveniles were allegedly determined to clash in an isolated area distant from a large event where there was already a substantial police presence, the department said. The incident was reportedly not associated with the organized event, which police said was taking place in the downtown Clermont area.
Police were made aware of a rumor earlier Friday that a large fight could take place around the same area and time as the organized event however, acting on the information to bolster the presence of security and law enforcement there as well as having school resource officers speak with many juveniles and warn them not to engage in any fighting, according to investigators.
Detectives are confident that the suspect will soon be located and charged, police said.
In a statement, Clermont police Chief Charles Broadway said his department’s thoughts and prayers remain with the victim and her family as she begins her road to a full recovery.
I want to commend our officers, who quickly responded to provide medical aid, and our detectives, who immediately began an investigation. Their actions and quick response not only helped ensure the victim received immediate medical attention but also allowed valuable investigative information to be collected that we believe will lead to the identification of the suspect.
I also commend our school resource officers who acted on information provided earlier in the day by several students of a rumored planned fight between two juveniles during a community event.
Thank you to our community and these students for trusting us and providing information that allowed us to better prepare with additional officers and other resources at the event.
To our young men and women, please understand the decisions we make today will have consequences or repercussions on our future. Do not let poor decisions today negatively impact your future.
Violence is never the answer.
Clermont police Chief Charles Broadway statement (excerpt)
Further details could be made available as soon as Monday, according to the department.
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