Florida student, 9, arrested after threatening several classmates with a knife at recess

It’s a troubling commentary on our times that headlines regarding youngsters bringing weapons to their schools have become a daily occurrence. It’s even more troubling when the youngster is only nine years old.

On October 10, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, headquartered in Palatka, Florida, announced that nine-year-old Anthony Walker, was arrested and charged on Thursday with ‘aggravated assault with deadly weapon without intent to kill’ – after threatening two classmates with a knife he brought to school on Wednesday, October 9.

Youth resource deputies were notified Thursday of possible threats involved with the knife by Walker from the day before and began an investigation.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, during recess at Middleton-Burney Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon, Walker and one of the victims got into a fight. On Thursday the victim told deputies that Walker said he was going to stab him during the fight. The victim said Walker then pulled a pocketknife from his backpack. The victim said he ran and told a teacher.

Another victim told deputies while on the playground Walker tapped him on the back. When that victim turned around, he said Walker had an open knife in his hand. The victim said he ran from Walker out of fear and tripped. The victim told deputies after he tripped, Walker stopped chasing him and walked away.

A third child told deputies Walker walked over to her and showed her a knife and asked her not to tell the teachers. She told deputies Walker walked over to another child and “flicked open the knife” and pointed it at the child’s stomach. That child was unable to be identified.

Deputies arrested the nine-year-old Walker and transported him to the Putnam County Jail. After he was booked, he was released to a parent until his court date.

The Sheriff’s Office posted a notice to parents stating:

“Parents, we cannot stress enough the importance of checking backpacks. Also, please encourage your students to talk to their teachers or use the Fortify App when they see something. Several students reported seeing the knives throughout the day, but no one told a teacher until after the threats occurred at recess. If the knives had been found and removed by an adult prior to the threats, the school could have handled discipline and this would not have escalated to a felony arrest.”

Although these are troubling times regarding school safety and school violence, everyone at Ace News Today is comforted to know that no one was injured regarding this incident.  We also hope that young Mr. Walker gets the help and counseling he needs to turn things around for himself.

This is not the face of a criminal.

Source and Anthony Walker photo: Putnam County Sheriff’s Office

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram