Michael Montoya II Obituary, Death; – Two 16-year-old boys involved in a fatal stabbing at a high school in Arizona have been named, according to reports.

Citing court documents, AZ Family reported that Chris Aguilar is facing charges related to the death of Michael Montoya II. The media outlet also mentioned that Aguilar utilized a 4-inch pocket knife, which was recovered following the stabbing.

The Arizona Department of Education stated that the stabbing took place on Tuesday at Maryvale High School in Phoenix. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne characterized it as a “terrible tragedy.”

“This tragic incident strengthens my resolve to do everything possible to ensure the safety of schools,” Horne expressed in a statement. “Schools must be secure environments,” he continued, also highlighting that the on-campus school safety officer “immediately” responded to the incident, assisted the injured student, and “performed his duties effectively.”
The Phoenix Police Department previously indicated that officers arrived at the school around 11 a.m. and discovered two injured students, one with serious injuries and the other with non-life-threatening injuries.
Montoya received treatment at the scene but later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Aguilar reportedly sustained a cut on his right hand.

While it was not immediately clear whether the students were acquainted, AZ Family reported that an alleged robbery took place the day prior to the stabbing.

“Multiple witnesses asserted that the two boys met the day before the stabbing, during which Montoya allegedly robbed Aguilar of a firearm,” the media outlet stated. “One witness claimed that Aguilar and his twin brother ‘made threats to kill the victim following the robbery.’”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed her condolences to the families, students, and educators impacted by the stabbing.

“Schools should be a secure environment for young individuals to learn and never a venue for violence,” she stated in a message shared on X. Police have urged anyone with video footage of the stabbing or the events leading up to it to submit it to them promptly or contact them at 602-262-6151.

The investigation is ongoing.