MSA Intel

Yesterday morning, as students were arriving to Franklin Regional High School, 16-year-old Alex Hribal went on a stabbing spree, wounding 21 students and one adult. According to witnesses, Hribal ran  through the hallway on the first floor of the school, stabbing students with two kitchen knives, estimated to be between eight and ten inches long. He was eventually tackled by the assistant principal and handcuffed by a school security officer, who also serves in the Murrysville Police Department. The injured adult is another security guard, who was stabbed in the abdomen. During the incident, a student pulled the fire alarm to alert his peers.

The majority of the injuries were reportedly “significant” stab wounds to the abdomen, torso, chest and back areas. Additionally, one doctor noted a pattern of stab wounds to the lower right abdomen. At least four of the wounded remain in critical condition. Hribal was initially taken to the police station for questioning, but was later transported to the hospital to be treated for injuries to his hands.

MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation closely and has identified the following implications:

      • At this time, there are conflicting reports as to whether Hribal was bullied in the months leading up to the attack. 

      • Police are also investigating rumors that a threatening phone call was made between the suspect and a fellow student the night before the attack. 

      • Officials have not specified whether he made or received the call. 

      • The FBI also removed several items from his home, including a computer. 

      • Several sources report that Hribal was a quiet student, with no known mental health issues and no obvious violent tendencies. 

      • His lawyer is currently requesting a mental evaluation. However, there is no specific information regarding a motive for the stabbings.

      • In the past, mass casualty attacks at U.S. schools have typically been carried out with firearms or using combined tactics, such as small arms and explosives. 

      • In this case, the suspect used knives, which required him to get closer to his victims. 

      • While this could indicate a highly personal motive for the attacks, the use of knives could also be due to a lack of access to firearms. 

      • It remains unknown whether the attacks were targeted. Although mass stabbings are relatively rare in the U.S., there have been at least two other similar incidents, at a community college and a high school, over the past year. 

      • While this does not necessarily indicate a trend, it should be noted that most school-related emergency preparedness plans focus on shootings rather than stabbings. 

      • As a result, yesterday’s attack could prompt new security guidelines to better prepare faculty and staff for knife attacks.
         

In addition to intervention from the assistant principal and school security personnel, the student who pulled the fire alarm has been credited with helping to mitigate casualties. In this case, the alarm helped to evacuate the school, potentially saving lives. However, the proper protocol is dependent on the attack scenario, and in some situations, it may be advisable to shelter in place. 

 

MSA Security's Research and Intelligence Analysis Group provides real-time intelligence on events and worldwide threats as they evolve.

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