ASHVILLE, Ohio — Authorities have released new, chilling details regarding the stabbing that sent Teays Valley High School into a lockdown Wednesday morning, confirming that a 16-year-old is now behind bars following a violent domestic struggle.
According to a joint statement from Pickaway County Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey and Ashville Acting Police Chief Christopher Hempstead, the incident began as a 911 call at 8:55 a.m. from a male who reported that his brother had just stabbed another person with a pocketknife at a residence on Ashton Woods Drive.
The Fight and the Flight
Investigators have identified the suspect as 16-year-old Daniel L. Hazard. Detectives determined that a 14-year-old victim had only been at Hazard’s residence for a short time before a struggle broke out between the two. During the altercation, the 14-year-old was stabbed multiple times.
In a desperate bid for safety, the wounded teen and three other witnesses fled the home and ran toward the nearby Teays Valley High School. The victim managed to reach the school lobby, where a School Resource Officer (SRO) immediately called for medical backup and initiated a campus-wide lockdown.
Emergency Response and Arrest
Harrison Township Fire and EMS arrived at the school lobby within minutes, providing emergency care to the 14-year-old before transporting him to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. His current condition has not been disclosed.
Simultaneously, a heavy police presence converged on the 500 block of Ashton Woods Drive. As officers surrounded the home, Daniel Hazard reportedly exited the residence willingly and was taken into custody without further incident.
Charges and Current Status
Hazard has been transported to the Multi-County Juvenile Detention Center in Lancaster. He is officially charged with:
- Felonious Assault (a second-degree felony if committed by an adult)
The lockdown at Teays Valley High School was lifted after approximately one hour once it was confirmed the suspect was in custody and the violence was contained off-campus.
“The safety of our students is our highest priority,” officials stated, thanking the Teays Valley Local School District and Harrison Township EMS for their rapid assistance during the crisis. The investigation remains active as detectives interview the three witnesses who fled the scene alongside the victim.
