A student at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was killed and another injured after a stabbing during a fight on campus, prompting shock, grief, and urgent calls to address youth violence across the community.
What Happened at North Forsyth High School
Authorities say the violence unfolded late Tuesday morning during what began as an altercation between two students.
- Around
11 a.m., a
school resource officer radioed for “all hands on deck” as a fight broke out on campus.
- During that altercation, at least one student was stabbed, leading to the
death of one student and
injuries to another.
- EMS units and law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, with local TV outlets reporting a large police and medical presence around the school.
Forsyth County Sheriff
Bobby Kimbrough confirmed the death at a press conference, calling it a devastating loss and emphasizing that
the families had been notified and there was no ongoing threat to the broader community.
Officials Call It a “Dark Day” for the City
In an emotional briefing, local leaders did not mince words about the gravity of the incident.
- Sheriff Kimbrough spoke about the weight of the loss, saying
“what this community needs now is prayer” and urging residents to support the grieving families and students.
- Winston-Salem Police Chief
William Penn Jr. described the stabbing as a
“dark day for our city” and stressed that the community must work together to stop
“senseless violence.”Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent
Don Phipps, who had been in the job for just about a week, said this was an educator’s worst nightmare.
He announced that
North Forsyth High School would be closed the following day to give staff and students space to process what happened. Crisis counseling teams are being deployed for faculty, staff, and students when they return.
Emotional Fallout for Students, Staff, and Families
From early reports on local television to social media posts from parents, the emotional toll was immediate and intense.
- Reporters on scene described students being released from school and families anxiously arriving to pick them up while details were still emerging.
- The
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education cancelled its scheduled meetings for Tuesday night in response to the tragedy.
Superintendent Phipps sent messages to families offering condolences and promising support. He emphasized that the district is focused on
mental health resources, grief counseling, and stabilizing the school community after such a traumatic event.
State and City Leaders Weigh In
The violence quickly drew attention from state and local leaders, who framed the killing as part of a broader crisis of youth violence and school safety.
- North Carolina Governor
Josh Stein posted on social media that he was praying for the students and families and stressed that
“North Carolinians need to be safe wherever they are — especially in school.” He said he had spoken with Sheriff Kimbrough to offer support and vowed that the state must “never stop working toward a safer North Carolina.”
- Winston-Salem Mayor
Allen Joines called the student’s death an
“untimely departure of such a promising young life” and said the city would
“redouble” efforts through a recently launched
Youth Crime Reduction Initiative.
That initiative, which predates the stabbing by only a short time, is now under intense scrutiny as city leaders face pressure to show how they will concretely curb youth violence.
Ongoing Investigation and Unanswered Questions
Authorities have released only limited information as the investigation continues.
- Officials have not publicly identified the students involved or detailed what sparked the altercation, citing the ongoing nature of the case and the involvement of minors.
- Sheriff Kimbrough and Chief Penn both indicated that detectives are working to piece together the sequence of events, including how a weapon was brought onto campus and whether any prior conflicts were known to school staff or law enforcement.
Local media coverage has focused heavily on
school safety procedures, the role of
school resource officers, and whether more could have been done to prevent the situation from escalating.
A Community Searching for Answers and Healing
In the hours following the incident, Sheriff Kimbrough posted a heartfelt video message urging residents to show compassion, saying there are
“people that are hurting, there are children that are hurting.”Community conversations are now circling around several key themes:
-
School safety: Expect renewed debate over security screenings, campus policing, and prevention programs.
-
Mental health and conflict resolution: Educators and officials are likely to face pressure to expand support services and teach de-escalation skills.
-
Youth violence prevention: With the mayor’s Youth Crime Reduction Initiative already underway, community members will be watching closely for tangible actions, not just statements.
For now, North Forsyth High School — and Winston-Salem at large — is in mourning. The loss of a student on what should have been an ordinary school day has become a rallying point, and possibly a turning point, in how the city confronts youth violence.
What Comes Next
As the investigation continues, here’s what to watch in the coming days and weeks:
-
Charges and legal developments: Authorities may release more information about who was involved and whether criminal charges will be filed.
-
Policy responses: The school district and city may propose new safety protocols or expand existing youth intervention programs.
-
Community forums and vigils: Local leaders may organize public events for residents to grieve, ask questions, and push for solutions.
If there is any silver lining in such a devastating moment, it may be that this tragedy forces a deeper, more urgent conversation about how to keep students safe — not just at North Forsyth High School, but across North Carolina.
Sources
1. 1 North Forsyth High School student dead, 1 injured after campus altercation
2. Live Impact Afternoon News | Dec. 9, 2025 - YouTube
