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A student stabbed two teachers at Roye-Williams Elementary School during dismissal on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to the school after reports of a stabbing in a hallway as students were leaving for the day alongside their teachers. Sheriff Jeff Gahler reported that the incident was captured on surveillance cameras.
Gahler said staff acted quickly to stop the attack and care for the injured.
"The teacher, the adults were able to quell the situation, secure the weapon used in this event and the other teachers, other adults responding, along with deputies, were able to administer first aid," Gahler said.
Both teachers suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening. No students were hurt during the incident.
Gahler said there was no apparent warning sign before the stabbing took place.
"I have no better way to describe it than out of the blue. Nothing that led up to it would cause any observer to think something was going to happen," he said.
The great-grandparent of a student at the school, was on campus for a picnic with her great-granddaughter when the attack happened.
"We know the teachers quite personally after being there all these years, and we all kind of panicked," she stated. "We had heard that and it's like, 'Oh my God.'"
"That school is wonderful. Everyone over there and the teachers and staff are very caring, protective of the children," she said.
Authorities have not released the age or grade of the student involved, nor details about the weapon used in the attack. Because the suspect is a juvenile, the sheriff's office said it cannot release information that would identify the student.
The factual information above was sourced from wbaltv.com as of June 19, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a teacher is hurt on the job by a student, the path forward isn't always clear. Questions about medical bills, lost wages, and accountability can pile up fast, often while the person is still recovering. To help make sense of the legal landscape, Michael Haggard discussed what options injured teachers typically have, how those options differ, and what steps matter most in the early days after an incident.
Editor Darla Medina: When a teacher is injured by a student at school, what kinds of legal avenues typically open up for them?
Attorney Michael Haggard: Generally speaking, an injured teacher may have a few different paths. Workers' compensation is usually the first one, since the injury happened on the job. Beyond that, depending on the circumstances, there can be separate claims against the school system or property owner if there's evidence that the school failed to provide adequate supervision or security.
Medina: How do those two paths differ?
Haggard: Workers' compensation covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but it doesn't typically account for pain and suffering. A premises liability or negligence claim against the school, on the other hand, can address those broader damages, but it requires showing the school knew or should have known about a risk and didn't act on it.
Medina: What would someone need to prove to bring that kind of claim?
Haggard: It comes down to foreseeability and reasonable care. Did the school have policies in place for situations like this? Were staff trained appropriately? Was there any indication of risk that wasn't addressed? Every case is different, and the facts matter enormously.
Medina: What would you tell a teacher in this kind of situation about their first steps?
Haggard: Document everything, seek medical care immediately, and talk to an attorney early. People often wait because they're focused on recovery, which is completely understandable, but there are deadlines that apply, and evidence is easier to preserve early on.
If you or someone you love has been injured on the job and you're unsure what comes next, you don't have to figure it out alone. The Legal Herald can connect you with an experienced attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation — so you can get clear answers about your options and take the next step with confidence.
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