LAWRENCE COUNTY, OH (LOOTPRESS) – The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that took place on Thursday at South Point Elementary School in Ohio, where the school principal, William Christian, was attacked by a parent in the school hallway.
The incident began around 1:41 PM when the Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that Principal Christian had been stabbed by a parent, later identified as Joshua Lee Collins, age 43, of Huntington.
School officials reported that the suspect was still inside the building. Within one minute, a South Point Police officer arrived on scene, quickly locating and taking Collins into custody.
In response to the unfolding situation, South Point Elementary immediately went into lockdown.
Fortunately, no students were harmed during the incident.
According to investigators, Collins confronted Principal Christian in the hallway just outside the school’s front office, reportedly due to a child custody issue.
As the two spoke, Collins allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed Mr. Christian in the neck and upper torso.
Mr. Christian retreated behind a locked door, but Collins broke the glass window to gain entry and continued pursuing the principal through various sections of the office and into the cafeteria.
It was here that the South Point officer was able to intervene and detain Collins.
Mr. Christian received initial medical assistance from the school nurse and was later transported by Lawrence County EMS to a nearby hospital.
Collins, who suffered cuts to his arms from broken glass, was also taken to the hospital.
The Huntington Police Department later arrested Collins on a warrant for felonious assault issued by Lawrence County, with an extradition hearing expected to follow.
Additional charges may be filed as the investigation proceeds.
The Lawrence County Detective Division, with assistance from the BCI&I Crime Scene Unit, is processing evidence and continuing its investigation.
