Knife attack hurts girl at McDonough

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009

Police said the 17-year-old victim was about to leave Maurice J. McDonough High School for the day when Gary O'Neil Palmer Jr. reportedly attacked her with the knife at about 11:46 a.m. in a cafeteria-area hallway.

Another male student was injured while trying to intervene in the assault, according to Diane Richardson, Charles County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. The student reportedly grabbed Palmer's arms until a juvenile resource officer and another sheriff's officer, who happened to be at the school, arrived to apprehend the alleged assailant, Richardson said.

The victim was flown by helicopter to Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly with serious but not life-threatening wounds. A leather jacket she was wearing during the assault might have protected her from more severe injuries, according to Richardson.

Palmer, 16, was treated at Civista Medical Center for a hand injury he suffered during the incident, Richardson said.

The student who intervened in the stabbing was treated by a school nurse, Richardson reported.

"For students to intervene was such an act of bravery," she said. Richardson also praised sheriff's officers for responding to the attack within seconds.

Those interviewed by police indicated that Palmer and the victim knew each other outside of school, but a motive for the attack remains unclear, according to Richardson.

Palmer has been charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, resisting or interfering with an arrest, carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure and carrying a dangerous weapon on school property.

According to Richardson, the school wasn't placed on lockdown after the incident.

"The situation was quickly brought under control by the sheriff's officers who happened to be in the area when the stabbing occurred, so it wasn't necessary," Richardson said.

McDonough's principal sent a letter to the students' parents the day of the stabbing describing the incident and asking parents to review the school's code of conduct.

"The administrators and I are continuing our investigation into this situation. We take the possession of weapons and attacks on students seriously, and in addition to possible criminal charges placed by police, any student in possession of a weapon on school grounds is subject to discipline up to and including expulsion," wrote Jervie Petty, principal of the school.

Katie O'Malley-Simpson, public schools spokeswoman, said no major changes to current school operations would occur due to Monday's incident. O'Malley-Simpson said the school's resource officers were able to handle the situation quickly, and their presence helps prevent situations such as Monday's.

"We feel fortunate that we have officers there. Their presence helps and it works," she said.

O'Malley-Simpson said parents were encouraged to contact the school with concerns and questions, which she said many parents did. The school principal individually addressed parents' concerns.

Parent Katy Rowe told a reporter in an e-mail Tuesday that she felt the situation was isolated and handled quickly. She said a mass e-mail was sent to parents as well as a letter home explaining the situation.

"I have confidence in the administrative team at McDonough. They are as proactive as possible," Rowe wrote. "I feel my children are safe at school."

As far as the consequences of Palmer's actions, O'Malley-Simpson said school personnel are not allowed to discuss an individual student's conduct, but the school system takes weapons very seriously. As reported in the principal's letter to parents, consequences for having a weapon can be as severe as expulsion.

A woman at Palmer's address declined to comment on the stabbing.

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