The alarms inside North Forsyth High School had barely faded when Forsyth County authorities began confronting a tragedy they said no community should ever have to face.
According to Fox News, by late Tuesday morning, what began as a routine school day had unraveled into a crisis that left one student dead and the entire Winston-Salem area grasping for answers.
Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. said the first sign of trouble came shortly after 11 a.m., when the school resource officer issued an urgent call for “all hands on deck.”
Deputies rushed to the campus and quickly learned that a fight between two students had erupted.
Kimbrough said the confrontation led to a loss of life, noting that the families involved had already been notified.
He stressed that there was “no danger to the community,” but acknowledged the deep pain the incident had caused. “What I will tell you is that the families of the people involved have been notified,” he said, adding that Tuesday had become “another sad day.”
Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn Jr. echoed that sentiment, calling it “a dark day for our city” and saying the violence had “shaken us to our very core.” His department is assisting in the investigation.
Penn urged residents not to post videos or images related to the incident, warning that doing so is harmful to the grieving families. “It is not the time to clout chase,” he said.
He called on the public to support students, staff, and the broader community in the days ahead and to help “put an end to senseless violence.”
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Don Phipps offered condolences and praised the rapid response from law enforcement, medical personnel and school staff.
“Today is the worst nightmare of any educator,” Phipps said. He noted that the district is hurting “when our students hurt.”
North Forsyth High School will remain closed on Wednesday. Crisis teams will be available to faculty and staff immediately, with services offered to students when they return. Phipps encouraged families to visit the school’s website for additional resources.
Sheriff Kimbrough declined to answer questions about what sparked the fight, citing the ongoing investigation. He said releasing details too soon could jeopardize the case.
“I know there’s a lot of questions that you probably have, but it’s an ongoing investigation,” he said. “As soon as we bring closure… we will push the information out to you as we’ve always been transparent.”
Kimbrough said he had just met with the victim’s family and emphasized that what they need most is prayer. He added that the governor had reached out with condolences and urged families to talk with their children and support those who witnessed the violence.
“We have some work to do in our community,” he said.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein condemned the stabbing on X, calling it “shocking and horrible” and saying he is “praying for all students in the community and their loved ones.” He said he had spoken with Kimbrough and vowed that “we must never stop working toward a safer North Carolina.”
