UPDATE 2:11PM

A seventh grade student at Walton Middle School has been arrested after allegedly stabbing two fellow students and a paraprofessional Tuesday morning in an attack that lasted less than 45 seconds, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

• Sheriff Michael Adkinson said the suspect was dropped off at the school at approximately 7:17 a.m. during early drop-off hours before the school was officially open. Roughly 40 to 50 students were on campus at the time.

The suspect allegedly walked directly into a bathroom and emerged approximately two minutes and 40 seconds later wearing a balaclava (mask) and armed with what Adkinson described as a “sharp implement.”

The suspect attacked the first student he came into contact with, stabbing the victim multiple times, Adkinson said. The suspect then attacked a paraprofessional in a hallway before making contact with a third victim, also a student, who was also stabbed.

The first student stabbed was incapacitated by the injuries, and a teacher began rendering aid, Adkinson said. The suspect fled the scene and was taken into custody by DeFuniak Springs Police Department officers and Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson within seven minutes of the initial attack in close vicinity to the school.

One victim was airlifted to Pensacola. A second was taken to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, a level two trauma center. The paraprofessional, who did not sustain life-threatening injuries, was also taken to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. Two of the victims were described as being in serious or critical condition, Adkinson said.

The two student victims and the suspect are all in the seventh grade, between 12 and 13 years of age, according to the sheriff. The third victim is an adult paraprofessional.

The School Resource Deputy and school guardian were both on campus at the time of the attack but in different locations, Adkinson said.

DeFuniak Springs Police Chief James Hurley said two of his units arrived on scene within two minutes of receiving the 911 call.

• “This is our small town, this is our community,” Hurley said. “It is just a tragic thing that our children shouldn’t have to witness.”

Students who had not yet been dropped off were kept on buses and taken to a pre-planned reunification site, according to Walton County School District Superintendent Russell Hughes.

“The student got out of the car from the parents like a normal day. So there were no indicators that gave any light on this was about to occur,” Hughes said.

Hughes said the district intends to resume classes as soon as possible.

“School is a safe place. That’s where we want them,” Hughes said.

Adkinson said the suspect is being interviewed at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Charges will be determined in consultation with the state attorney’s office. Adkinson cautioned that initial charges may differ from what the state ultimately decides to pursue.

The sheriff declined to discuss a possible motive and said there is no further danger to the public. A follow-up press conference is planned for Wednesday.

“I want to make sure that we’re right, that we’re thoughtful about what we do and that we’re professional the way we do it,” Adkinson said.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported stabbing at Walton Middle School on Tuesday morning that injured two students and one adult, according to the agency.

• Deputies responded to reports of a stabbing at the school at 7:22 a.m. A School Resource Deputy was on campus at the time, and additional patrol deputies responded along with officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department.

By 7:30 a.m., a suspect was detained a block from the school, according to the sheriff’s office. Two students and one adult were transported with injuries, the agency said. No additional details on their conditions were immediately available.

Classes at Walton Middle School were cancelled for Tuesday.

“Our first priority, along with Walton County School District, was to ensure that students and staff were safe, the situation was brought under control, and accurate information was relayed to parents regarding reunification,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.

The sheriff’s office said additional information will be released when it becomes available and asked for the public’s patience as the investigation continues.