Crime
Student Killed, Another Injured in Stabbing at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, N.C. — A stabbing at North Forsyth High School late Tuesday morning left one student dead and another injured, prompting a large-scale law enforcement response and a temporary lockdown of the campus.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that emergency medical services responded immediately and announced a 2 p.m. press briefing as the investigation unfolded.
According to officials, the incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m., when the School Resource Officer issued an urgent call stating he needed “all hands on deck.”
Deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Winston-Salem Police Department arrived within minutes.
During an afternoon press conference, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. confirmed that one student had died as a result of injuries sustained in the altercation.
The second student was injured, though additional details about their condition have not yet been released.
Sheriff Kimbrough described the situation as “heartbreaking” and called on the community to come together in support of the school and the families impacted.
Officials reiterated that the case remains an active investigation and that further information about the individuals involved is being withheld pending notification of families and ongoing inquiries.
Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the school or surrounding community, and the campus lockdown has been lifted.
Investigators are reviewing a video circulating on social media that appears to show moments leading up to the fatal confrontation. In the footage:
- A student is seen walking down a hallway toward a restroom area.
- Multiple students gather as a conflict erupts between two individuals inside a school restroom.
- After the fight, one student exits the restroom and collapses in the hallway.
- A student is briefly seen holding a knife in the aftermath.
Authorities have urged the public to stop sharing or reacting to the graphic video out of respect for the victim, students, and their families.
Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. delivered an emotional plea during his remarks:
“I need your prayers, the principal needs your prayer, the community needs your prayer — we need prayer right now.”
Winston-Salem Police Chief William H. Penn Jr. condemned the spread of the video online, stating:
“Today is a dark day for our city… Events like this have shaken us to our very core.
Whoever’s sharing this video, liking this video, commenting on this video — please think about the insensitive nature of what you’re doing.”
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein released a public statement, calling the stabbing “shocking and horrible”:
“North Carolinians need to be safe wherever they are — especially in school. I have spoken with Sheriff Kimbrough to offer my support. We must never stop working toward a safer North Carolina.”
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools activated emergency protocols and directed parents to the Joel Coliseum at 2825 University Parkway for reunification. Parents were asked to bring identification for student release.
Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps issued a formal letter to the WS/FCS community:
- He confirmed one student had died and another was injured.
- He emphasized that “violence has no place at our schools.”
- He urged the community to surround students and staff “with kindness and care.”
School Closure and Staff Instructions
- North Forsyth High School will be closed Wednesday, December 10, for students.
- Staff members are directed to report to the Education Building, 4801 Bethania Station Road, and may take leave if needed.
- Counselors and crisis response teams will be on-site to provide emotional and psychological support.
Students seeking assistance may visit the Cable 2 offices at the Education Building starting at 8 a.m., accompanied by a parent or guardian. Additional resources will be available on the school’s website.
The tragic loss has deeply affected students, staff, and the broader Winston-Salem community.
Crisis counselors, grief specialists, and school support personnel will remain available as the investigation continues and students process the events.
Officials ask the public to keep the families and the North Forsyth community in their thoughts during this period of profound grief.
Further updates will be released as new information becomes available.
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a 26-year-old survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, died by suicide on December 15, according to a statement shared by his family.
Metayer had endured significant mental health challenges for several years following the traumatic attack that claimed the lives of 17 people.
Metayer was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the time of the February 14, 2018 shooting.
His family said the trauma of that day, coupled with the loss of classmates and the long-term psychological effects of the event, profoundly altered the trajectory of his life.
In the years that followed, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and struggled with depression, survivor’s guilt, emotional instability, and extended periods of isolation.
Despite these challenges, Metayer remained deeply loved by his family, who described him as intelligent, humorous, and compassionate. He underwent years of treatment that included therapy, psychiatric care, medication, and multiple hospitalizations related to suicidal ideation.
His sister, who shared the news of his death publicly, said he fought a seven-year battle with mental illness.
In recent years, Metayer made notable efforts to rebuild his life. He earned an information technology certification, secured employment at Office Depot, and received ongoing care through the Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic and a private psychiatrist.
His family said these steps reflected his determination to move forward despite persistent struggles.
Following a mental health crisis in 2021, Metayer was legally prohibited from purchasing a firearm under a Risk Protection Order.
That order expired earlier this month.
According to his family, within days of the order lapsing, he legally obtained a handgun and died by suicide at his home.
In the wake of his death, Metayer’s family has established a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and to create a fund in his name at the Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic.
The fund is intended to support individuals facing behavioral health challenges and to improve access to mental health care in Florida.
His family said they hope his story serves as a reminder of the long-term effects of trauma and the urgent need for sustained mental health support, particularly for survivors of mass violence.
Those close to Metayer emphasized that his life mattered and that his death underscores the ongoing mental health crisis affecting young people across the country.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or thoughts of suicide, help is available.
In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.