This is a developing story; check back here periodically for updates.
A Walton Middle School student is in custody after a stabbing attack at the DeFuniak Springs campus on Tuesday morning that left two students and one adult injured and prompted the cancellation of classes for the day.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), the incident began at approximately 7:17 a.m. when the suspect, a Walton Middle School student, was dropped off at the front entrance of the school during early drop-off. At the time, the school had not yet opened for normal operating hours, and an estimated 40–50 students were on campus.
Sheriff Michael Adkinson said the student walked directly into a hallway bathroom and remained there for about two minutes and 40 seconds. When the student emerged, he was wearing a balaclava-style mask and was armed with a “sharp implement.” Adkinson said the student attacked the first person, a fellow student, he came across and stabbed them multiple times before moving on to continue his attack after the first student ran away.
Adkinson said the student then attacked a paraprofessional and continued to move down a hallway of the school to attack a second student. The sheriff said the entire attack took about 45 seconds from start to finish.
The first victim was incapacitated due to injuries and was receiving aid from a teacher when law enforcement moved to secure the scene and locate the suspect.
The initial 911 call came in at approximately 7:22 a.m., and WCSO patrol deputies, a School Resource Deputy already on campus, and officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department responded.
By 7:30 a.m.—about eight minutes after the first report—the suspect was detained roughly one block from the school.
“We were able to catch our suspect within seven minutes. So that’s pretty good timing,” said Chief James Hurley Jr., DeFuniak Springs City Marshal “This is our small town. This is our community. We all grew up with each other. We know each other — suspects, the victims. It’s just a tragic thing that our children shouldn’t have to witness. So just make sure you hug your kids tight and pray for our community.” Sheriff Adkinson emphasized the speed of the incident and the response:
“From the time of this incident again, approximately 7:17, this individual, the suspect, was in custody within about seven minutes. The entire attack, the entire actual physical attack, took place in less than about 45 seconds,” he said. “So as you can imagine, this happened very, very quickly.”
He stressed that there is now no ongoing danger to the public.
“At this point, there’s no further danger to the public. This individual is in custody. He’s being interviewed at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office,” Adkinson said
Multiple ambulances, along with Walton County Fire Rescue, responded to the scene to provide immediate life-saving aid.
“Immediate life saving aid was being offered and rendered to the two most seriously injured individuals,” Adkinson said.
As of the latest update in the briefing:
“Two are in serious condition or critical condition, and at this point, that’s really all I want to elaborate on that,” Adkinson said.
Walton Middle School classes were canceled for Tuesday. Parents of Walton Middle students were asked to keep their children home, and officials confirmed that only Walton Middle School is closed.
Students who were already on buses headed to the campus were diverted to a reunification site where parents and guardians could pick them up. The parents and guardians of all Walton Middle School students were notified via Rooms Announcement, direct messages, and phone calls, Superintendent of Walton County Schools A. Russell Hughes said.
Hughes praised both staff and first responders for their coordinated actions during a chaotic and emotional situation.
“[This is a] Very difficult day for us. Our children are our life, and we appreciate all the heroic things that a lot of people did,” Hughes said. “There are a lot of heroic steps made — the planning that we do to make sure that children have a safe place to go to school on a daily basis. As difficult as it is, we’re grateful for the things that happened today, for those who were in a position where they were supposed to be, so that we could minimize any of those things.”
Hughes said there were no early warning signs when the suspect arrived:
“The student got out of the car with parents like a normal day. So there are no indicators that gave any light on this was about to occur,” he said.
He added that the district’s intention is to resume classes at Walton Middle as soon as the campus is cleared and ready.
“Our intention is to get children back in school as soon as possible. School is a safe place, and that’s where we want them,” Hughes said. “As soon as we get the site where we can get back in, we’ll get there, and we’re gonna… be through at the school, processing that and available to clean up today. That is our plan.”
The suspect, described as a seventh-grade Walton Middle School student, either 12 or 13 years old, is currently being interviewed by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Adkinson said decisions on charges will be made in consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, and cautioned against drawing early conclusions.
“We’re going to make decisions on what is the appropriate charge — that’s ultimately the decision of the State Attorney’s Office,” he said. “I’m not going to speak on motive, not going to speak on anything else other than this: there is no extended risk to the public.”
He noted that initial charges may change as the case progresses:
“Whatever charges you see today are not necessarily the charge the state may decide to do later. That’s a process… and that’s where the State Attorney’s Office [is] really good to make sure that we get the appropriate charge for this case.”
Adkinson also urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues.
“We’re asking the public to please… let’s tamp down and hold back some of the wild hyperbole, some of the wild speculation… It serves no purpose to anyone,” he said.“I would just caution you not to draw conclusions when you’re in the absence of evidence. It is not good for anybody.”
Officials repeatedly emphasized the emotional toll on the Walton County community.
“This is the worst thing you can deal with as a sheriff, as a school professional, [for] the police department — any one of us. This is what we all fear,” Adkinson said.
City Marshal Hurley echoed the sentiment, pointing to the close-knit nature of DeFuniak Springs:
“This is our small town. This is our community… We know each other — suspects, the victims. It’s just a tragic thing that our children shouldn’t have to witness,” he said.
Sheriff Adkinson said more detailed information will be provided in a press conference planned for tomorrow, once investigators can ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
Parents are urged to monitor WMS Rooms, Walton Middle School, and Walton County School District social media channels for updates as the investigation continues.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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