Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

One man has been critically injured and a 15-year-old boy placed in police custody following a breach of security at the Maldon High School in St. James yesterday.

The injured man has been identified as Demar Mitto of Summer Hill district in the parish. The teen is said to be from the community of Providence Heights in Montego Bay.

Reports from the Springmount police are that about 11:30 a.m. yesterday, the teen was in a line waiting for lunch at the back of the school cafeteria, when Mitto entered and tried to cut in.

Altercation developed

Realising that Mitto was about to cut the line, the teen allegedly pushed him. An altercation developed and the teen was shoved to the ground.

It is further alleged that the teen then ran into the cafeteria where he got a knife, which he used to stab Mitto in the upper part of his back close to his spine.

The teen was subsequently charged with wounding with intent. Sergeant Abe Aris and Detective Corporal Michael Moore of the Springmount Police Station are investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, maintaining that the incident did not take place on the immediate school compound, acting principal Irvin Atkinson is blaming the incident on a breach of security. He said he would be looking into the matter.

"We are not operating a restaurant here so if he is coming in to buy food he must be doing it illegally," said Atkinson.