Stabbing at Washington state high school wounds 6, including suspect, police say

A student watches as Tacoma Police officers investigate after multiple people were injured in a stabbing at Foss High School, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

TACOMA, Wash. — A student at a Tacoma high school was booked on five counts of first-degree assault after four students and an adult security guard were wounded in a stabbing at the school Thursday, police said.

The Tacoma Fire Department took five people to hospitals from Foss High School, with four of the patients in critical condition and one with minor injuries, said Chelsea Shepherd, a spokesperson for the department.

A sixth person was in police custody and taken to a hospital with minor injuries, she said. All were in stable condition as of late afternoon.

All of those wounded were either stabbed or cut, said Shelbie Boyd, a spokesperson for the Tacoma Police Department. The suspect was among those cut in the altercation.

The school went into lockdown at 1:38 p.m. after the violence began and students were safely dismissed at 2:45 p.m., Tacoma Public Schools said in a statement.

“The school is secure, and we are currently investigating,” Boyd said, adding that a reunification area had been set up at the school for parents to pick up their students

School and after-school activities for Friday were canceled. The school will reopen Monday with counsellors on site to support students and staff.

“We are grateful for the quick, calm action of our staff and our first responders,” the district said.

The Associated Press