Leaders Speak Out after Deadly Stabbing In Maryvale High School Classroom

Arizona leaders are speaking out after one student was killed inside a classroom at Maryvale High School in Phoenix on Tuesday.

According to the Phoenix Police Department, the suspect, a second teenager, is in custody at a local hospital suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

On August 19, 2025, at approximately 10:54 a.m., a Phoenix police officer, working as a School Safety Officer for Maryvale High School, was alerted by school staff that an assault had occurred inside one of the classrooms. The officer was directed to the administration building, where he detained one of the students involved. A second student was located by officers and firefighters suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was quickly treated on scene and rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

As a board member of Phoenix Union High School District, my thoughts and prayers are with the students, staff, and families at Maryvale High School @MVPantherNation in the Phoenix Union @PhoenixUnion school district.

Prayers for the victims in today's violent incident. 🙏

— Jeremiah Cota ✝️🇺🇸 (@jeremiahcota) August 19, 2025

“The death of a student as the result of a stabbing at Maryvale High School is a terrible tragedy. Schools must be safe places,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne stated.

“The on-campus school safety officer responded immediately, rendered aid to the student and did his job well,” explained Horne. “This terrible incident reinforces my commitment to doing everything possible to make schools safe.”

Arizona House Education Committee Chairman Matt Gress expressed condolences following the fatal stabbing incident today at Maryvale High School which left one student dead.

“Heartbroken for the family of the Maryvale High School student whose life was cut short today. No parent should ever endure such a loss,” Gress wrote on X.com. “Every student and teacher in Arizona deserves safe schools. Protecting that environment must remain a top priority.”