BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Police say they have arrested one person in connection with a stabbing outside Lafayette High School Tuesday morning.
Officers were called to a report of a fight just after 8 a.m. in front of the school. When officers arrived, they said two males were involved in a dispute, and one of the males stabbed the other.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said the fight was broken up by school security and the school's principal when they arrived. A pocket knife was recovered at the scene.
Police have charged an 18-year-old student at Lafayette, Harun Sabriye, with stabbing a 19-year-old former student outside the school.
Gramaglia said investigators believe the incident stemmed from the sale of a PlayStation 5 some time ago, which the suspect allegedly never paid for. The video game console is worth about $500.
It was the 19-year-old Buffalo resident who ended up getting stabbed during the confrontation and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Sabriye was reportedly treated for minor injuries.
He is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and assault.
The Buffalo Public Schools issued this statement shortly after the incident:
“The Buffalo Public Schools are supporting the Buffalo Police Department's criminal investigation between two male individuals that occurred outside and before school at Lafayette International PS 207 when one male stabbed the other. According to the initial reports, non-life-threatening injuries were sustained by the individuals. One individual was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). The other individual sustained a slashing injury. Fortunately, others were not hurt. Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams has directed Crisis Prevention and Response Staff to be onsite at the school to provide support to students and staff. "
This is the second stabbing incident on the grounds of a Buffalo Public School in the current school year. Back in October, a 19-year-old was arrested outside Riverside High School after an altercation.
Superintendent Williams has prioritized safety during her tenure and championed the installation of Evolv weapons detection systems in all BPS school buildings.
Buffalo Police believe Tuesday's incident was isolated just like in October.