A student was arrested after stabbing another student during a fight near Savanna High School in Anaheim on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 2, according to the Anaheim police.
Savanna is located at 301 N. Gilbert St.
Police officers arrived at the scene at around 2:40 p.m. after receiving reports about an assault in the area of Lincoln Avenue and Gilbert Street.
When the officers arrived, they found a male student who was suffering from several stab wounds.
The victim had injuries deemed not to be life-threatening. He was able to speak with the police officers before being taken to a hospital.
The student suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The police did not confirm the ages or names of the suspect and victim but they did confirm that both were minors.
Savanna High School was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to the police.
It is not yet known what may have led to the fight or if others were involved.
Here’s a recap of similar school stabbing or knife-related incidents in Orange County over the past five years:
1. Santa Ana High School – Deadly Stabbing (May 2025)
- Incident: A 14-year-old student was fatally stabbed and two others injured during a fight outside Santa Ana High School just after dismissal.
- Details: Two teen brothers (ages 15 and 17) were arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The victim was identified as Armando Morales.
- Impact: After-school activities were canceled; crisis counselors were deployed; parents expressed concerns about campus safety. The family of the student who died sued the SAUSD.
2. Tustin High School – On-Campus Stabbing (February 2023)
- Incident: A male student was stabbed during a fight on campus around noon, prompting a shelter-in-place order.
- Details: The suspect was detained by school officials and later taken into custody. The injured student was hospitalized.
- Impact: Raised questions about supervision and security measures at schools.
3. Orange High School – Knife Fight & Lockdown (December 2022)
- Incident: Two students fought in a common area; one pulled a knife and stabbed the other in the hand.
- Details: Orange High School went into lockdown; three nearby schools sheltered in place for about an hour. The suspect fled but was later arrested.
- Impact: Highlighted gaps in campus security and emergency response. [newsantaana.com]
Patterns & Concerns
- Common Factors: Fights escalating into violence, lack of adequate supervision, and easy access to weapons.
- Response Measures: Lockdowns, increased police presence, and crisis counseling have been standard responses.
- Community Impact: Each incident sparked debates about school safety, mental health, and preventive measures.
Based on California law and similar cases, here are the likely penalties the Anaheim stabbing suspect could face:
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Penal Code §245)
- Felony charge
- Up to 4 years in state prison (or juvenile detention if under 18)
- Possible fines up to $10,000
- Attempted Murder (Penal Code §§664/187)(if prosecutors believe intent to kill existed)
- Felony charge
- Sentence can range from 5 years to life in prison
- Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds (Penal Code §626.10)
- Felony or misdemeanor depending on circumstances
- Up to 3 years in state prison
- Enhancements for Great Bodily Injury (Penal Code §12022.7)
- Additional 3–6 years added to the sentence if injury was severe
- Juvenile Court Considerations
- If the suspect is a minor, penalties may include confinement in a juvenile facility until age 25 instead of adult prison
Currently, police have confirmed the suspect is in custody and the victim’s injuries are non-life-threatening, which may influence whether prosecutors pursue attempted murder or aggravated assault charges.