By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Yukon police investigators have determined an alleged student stabbing incident Friday morning that prompted a brief lockdown at Yukon High School was falsely reported.
Deputy Police Chief John Brown and Yukon Public Schools spokeswoman Kayla Agnitsch released this statement shortly after noon April 19:
“Earlier this morning, Yukon Police responded to a reported stabbing incident involving a juvenile female student at the Yukon High School. Subsequent investigation by the Yukon Police has revealed that the incident was falsely reported by the individual.
“Upon thorough examination of the circumstances, it has been determined that the alleged stabbing did not occur as initially reported.”
The Yukon Police Department confirmed there was no evidence supporting the individual’s account, and it was established that the incident was fabricated.
YPD officials emphasized the seriousness of making false reports, especially about violent crimes.
Fabricating such events not only wastes valuable resources and time – but also undermines the trust and credibility of the community’s safety institutions.
“While we are relieved that no actual harm occurred in this instance, we condemn the actions of those who knowingly mislead law enforcement and the public,” according to the YPD/YPS joint statement. “Such behavior detracts from the genuine needs of our community and hampers efforts to address real safety concerns.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and to report genuine incidents promptly and accurately. Maintaining the integrity of our reporting system is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community.”
Yukon High School was placed on lockdown early Friday morning after the stabbing was reported on campus, 1777 S Yukon Parkway.
The female student was supposedly confronted in the southwest parking lot by an 18-year-old male suspect with whom she had a previous relationship. The purported stabbing suspect was not a student.
As a precaution, all YHS students and staff were temporarily placed on lockdown.
“Our SRO (school resource officer) was on scene at the time of the incident,” Deputy Chief Brown said. “After he heard about it, he rushed over to where (the altercation) occurred.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.”
Before YPD investigators determined that no stabbing had occurred, they had identified the alleged suspect and planned to pursue criminal charges.
EMAIL ALERT
Yukon Public Schools alerted parents and staff at 7:49 a.m. April 19 in this email message:
“We are writing to inform you of a serious incident that occurred today on our high school campus. This morning, one of our students was injured in an altercation involving a stabbing. Thankfully, the student is receiving medical attention and is in stable condition.
“As a precaution, and to ensure the safety of all our students and staff, the school has been placed on lockdown while the authorities conduct a thorough search for the individual involved, who is currently believed not to be on campus. Local law enforcement is actively investigating the situation, and we are cooperating fully to ensure the swift resolution of this matter.
“We understand the distress this news may cause and want to reassure you that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We are taking every necessary step to manage this situation with the utmost seriousness and care.”
The lockdown ended shortly after 8 a.m.
