Nathan Brinkman | March 26, 2025
(EdNews Virginia) — One Arlington student was taken into custody after two knives were found at Swanson Middle School, according to county law enforcement. Officers were dispatched to the school early Tuesday afternoon following a “report of threats.”
The police department’s crime report indicates that “juvenile males became involved in a dispute at school during which the suspect allegedly made threatening statements to harm the victim with a knife.”
At approximately 12:47 p.m. on March 25, police were dispatched to Swanson Middle School for the report of threats. Upon arrival, it was determined three juvenile males became involved in a dispute at school during which the suspect allegedly made threatening statements to harm the victim with a knife. No injuries were reported. School administration subsequently searched the suspect’s belongings and recovered two knives. Responding officers took possession of the knives and the juvenile male suspect, who is in his teens, was taken into custody. A petition for the juvenile suspect was obtained for Possession of a Weapon on School Property.
Swanson parents were informed of the incident last night via email. “Our administrative team found a student in possession of two knives on school grounds during an investigation of a report of a possible safety concern,” the school principal wrote.
“At no time were the knives brought out at school; however, we take every report of a possible safety threat very seriously,” the principal continued. “The student responsible has received consequences in accordance with the Arlington Public Schools Student Code of Conduct and the matter is under further investigation by law enforcement.”
This was not the first weapons-related incident at Swanson in recent years. In April 2022, FOX 5 DC reported that a student was caught with a taser on campus. One concerned parent told WDVM the taser incident followed threats of violence, adding that her daughter felt unsafe at school.
In December 2021, a school email informed Swanson parents of “a student in possession of a weapon on campus.” School officials did not specify the weapon type when asked. In a PTA Zoom call, a Swanson assistant principal told parents the student involved claimed “there was no intent to harm anyone.” A police report later provided more details, characterizing the incident as “assault with a knife.”
At approximately 9:06 a.m. on December 10, police were dispatched to the late report of an assault with a knife. Upon arrival, it was determined that between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on December 9, the juvenile victim was walking in the area when he approached the juvenile suspect and engaged in conversation. The victim continued walking and when he looked back, he observed the suspect allegedly running towards him with a knife in his hands. The victim ran and the suspect caught up to him, grabbed him by the backpack and cut a side pocket of the backpack with the knife. The victim did not report any injuries. At the time of the report, the victim’s family did not wish to seek prosecution.”
After the police report was released, school officials declined to answer questions or provide further details on the 2021 weapon incident.
READ THE PRINCIPAL’S MARCH 25, 2025 EMAIL: