A tragic stabbing at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, claimed the life of one student and injured another during a midday altercation on December 9, 2025.
The incident unfolded around 11 a.m. when the school’s resource officer urgently requested “all hands on deck,” prompting a swift response from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Winston-Salem Police Department, and emergency medical services. Deputies secured the campus, initiating a lockdown that lasted several hours as students were safely bused to Joel Coliseum for family reunification.
Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough confirmed during a 2 p.m. press briefing that the fight between two students escalated into a fatal stabbing, with one victim succumbing to stab wounds at the scene despite immediate medical intervention. The second student sustained non-life-threatening injuries, received hospital treatment, and was released. Authorities described the event as isolated and targeted, assuring no ongoing threat to the community while emphasizing the active investigation into the altercation’s origins.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has withheld the victims’ identities pending family notifications and legal proceedings, with no suspect charges announced as of December 10. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein labeled the stabbing “shocking and horrible,” offering support to the sheriff and calling for enhanced school safety measures statewide. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps echoed the sentiment, describing it as “the worst nightmare of any educator.”
North Forsyth High School, serving approximately 1,400 students in grades 9-12, canceled classes on December 10, directing staff to a central education building for crisis counseling. The district activated support teams for faculty and plans extended mental health services upon students’ return, underscoring the profound impact on the school’s tight-knit environment. Community leaders urged residents to foster open dialogues about conflict resolution amid the grief.
As the investigation progresses, officials continue to review security footage and witness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events in the hallway where the fight occurred. The Forsyth County community grapples with this senseless loss, channeling sorrow into calls for preventive resources like expanded metal detectors and counseling programs. This marks a somber chapter for North Forsyth, once celebrated for its academic achievements and athletic spirit.
The enduring ripple effects of this tragedy highlight vulnerabilities in adolescent dynamics, prompting reflections on fostering resilience through education and family involvement. While details remain limited to protect those affected, the unified response from law enforcement and educators exemplifies a commitment to healing and prevention in Forsyth County schools.