Sheriff Adrian Garcia said at a press conference Wednesday that authorities have three persons of interest in custody after a fight broke out at Spring High School including the stabbing of four students, one of whom died.
The deceased has been identified as Joshua Broussard. The sheriff did not identify the teen, but Broussard’s father and aunt confirmed the death to Local 2 News.
Garcia said a confrontation “of some sort” occurred, and would not confirm it was gang related. “It’s a very dynamic scene,” he said. All the victims and persons of interest are students at the school.
17-year-old Luis Alonzo Alfaro has been charged with murder in the case, police said on Wednesday night.
Garcia said he is sure the three in custody are the only people who need to be in custody. The deceased was 17-years-old. Two victims with minor injuries were sent to Houston North West medical center and one was sent via LifeFlight medical helicopter to Hermann Memorial with more serious injuries; he was undergoing surgery at the time of the press conference.
The student, whose condition was initially critical, has been identified as Deaveon Brazil, 16. His injuries are not life threatening, according to his pastor, who spoke with reporters outside the hospital.
Brazil “will be OK,” he said. The pastor denied gang violence was involved, saying it was “a misunderstanding that got out of hand” between people of different races—Hispanic and African American.
“Their son is fighting for his life in this hospital,” said the pastor, gesturing to the parents of the injured boy who stood behind him. Brazil was released from hospital, a spokesman announced Thursday morning.
The Harris County Sheriff’s office reports that deputies have not been called to the school to address gang violence before Wednesday.
The school was on lock down, but the students were later released.
The conflict occurred at about 7 a.m. Wednesday morning at the Harris County, Texas, school. The school nurse placed the call to 9-1-1, reported Sky 2.
Students said they were mourning Broussard. Frank Sanchez tweeted “Whether you were friends with him or not, hurts man.”
Unconfirmed reports via Twitter suggested it may have been a gang conflict.
Some parents said the fight was the continuation of a disturbance that broke out Tuesday. Officials at the school, which has about 3,000 students, would not confirm their comments.
“Every parent sends their child to school believing school should be one of those safe haven places,” Spring Independent School District Superintendent Ralph Draper said. “This is what we spend our nights and days working toward and what I lose sleep over.
“In my nearly 30-year career, this is the one thing you pray never to experience.”
Students’ phone use was restricted by teachers.
The rumor was that the gang conflict may revive once the students are released. Parents report it is a conflict between the Brown Pride gang and the Cool Rock gang.
Earlier in the morning, parent Vicky Holub spoke to Sky 2. She had heard from her two children who are students at the school. She had the relief many others haven’t, hearing her children are safe. One of her children told her via text message that she saw one of the stabbed students in a bloody scene. The school is on “lock down,” Holub said.
The parents of the students injured have been notified, reports the school, so other parents can rest assured their children are safe. Many gathered at a nearby fast food establishment.
Sheila Brown dropped her grandson, DeShawn Miller, off at the school in the morning. She was visibly distraught and near tears as she pleaded for some information about her grandson. She had tried to reach him on his cell phone to no avail and got a message to call back later when she called the school.
Parent Tara Campbell said she received text messages from her daughter about the fight and that her daughter said students who witnessed the episode snapped cellphone photos of the victims as they lay on the ground.
Campbell said she intended to have her daughter home-schooled, saying she’s grown tired of fights at the school.
“Last year there were gang fights consistently,” she said. “This is ridiculous. This is an ongoing situation.”
Lakesia Brent said her son, a sophomore at the school, sent her multiple text messages asking her to come pick him up.
“He’s just afraid,” she said, adding that fights at the school were a problem in the last academic year.
Students were not checked through metal detectors, reported parents.
Spring High School has about 3,500 students, according to GreatSchools.org.
A parent review of the school on the website reads: “I pulled my child out of the school. I spent two days at the school. It is wild in the halls. The fights are really bad. I know of 10 kids that have been pulled out this year for home schooling.”
A teacher review on the site posted in 2010 reads: “I have been at Spring High school for over 10 years. ... When the students are in class they willingly participate in activities. ... There are always going to be behavior issues ... SHS has an exceptional fine arts programs and a high achieving honors program. Athletics are competitive with the best in the area. I am proud to be a SHS teacher!”
Adrian Neno Brown wrote on his Facebook page that he had been kicked out of the school, and “spring ain’t safe like tha hood ain’t safe we all the same.”
As of 10 a.m. local time, buses pulled up to the school. The students are to be transported to a local parking lot where they are expected to be reunited with their waiting families.
Members of the public with information about the violence to contact the Sheriff’s Office (713-967-5810) or Crime Stoppers of Houston (713-222-8477). Anonymous tips in the form of e-mails, texts, photos and video can be sent through the free smart phone application iWatchHarrisCounty.
Classes at the school have been canceled until Monday.
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MORE:
Luis Alonzo Alfaro Charged with Murder After Stabbing at Spring High School in Texas
Joshua Broussard Identified as Texas Spring High School Stabbing Victim: Friends Mourn
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
