2014 Franklin Regional High School stabbing

Mass stabbing in Pennsylvania, US December 2025 April 2014 2014 Franklin Regional High School stabbing Murrysville, Pennsylvania, US Students and staff at Franklin Regional High School yes 40 25 45 N 79 40 09 W region:US-CT_type:event inline,title 5 2014 04 09 7:13 a.m. – c. 7:18 a.m.https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/09/pa-school-stabbings/7498911/ 'Shy' suspect arrested after stabbing 19 at Pa. school USA Today April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 Stanglin, Doughttps://news.yahoo.com/least-six-stabbed-pennsylvania-high-school-reports-124150702.html Knife-wielding student wounds 22 in Pennsylvania school April 9, 2014 Yahoo News October 2, 2014 Mass stabbing, attempted mass murder 0 24 (22 directly, including the perpetrator) Alexander B. Hribal Two 8-inch kitchen knives Dissatisfaction with school and society2014-06-10 Franklin Regional Suspect References Norse Apocalypse Legend In Document - CBS Pittsburgh https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/franklin-regional-suspect-references-norse-apocalypse-legend-in-document/ 2025-06-16 www.cbsnews.com en-US On April 9, 2014, Alexander Hribal, a 16-year-old sophomore at the school, used a pair of eight-inch kitchen knives to stab and slash 20 students and a security guard in a mass stabbing at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, United States. Four students sustained life-threatening injuries, but all survived.http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/04/09/multiple-students-reported-stabbed-at-franklin-regional-high-school/ 24-Injured In Stabbing At Franklin Regional High School April 9, 2014 October 2, 2014 Attack At around 07:13 a.m., minutes before classes began, Hribal,http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-high-school-stabbings-injured-20140410,0,2961722.story#axzz2zU1GCFxs High school stabbings: Friend 'saved my life,' injured boy says April 10, 2014 Los Angeles Times October 2, 2014 wearing black clothing,https://nypost.com/2014/04/09/up-to-six-injured-in-pennsylvania-school-stabbing/ Teen suspect charged in school stab rampage April 9, 2014 New York Post October 2, 2014 began stabbing and slashing students in the school's first-floor science hallway.http://www.wtae.com/news/alex-hribal-yes-when-asked-if-he-was-sorry-in-court-today/28260896 Witnesses: Alex Hribal worshiped Columbine attackers, pulled fire alarm during rampage wtae September 27, 2014 October 2, 2014 After stabbing several people, Hribal pulled a fire alarm, attempting to bring more students out into the hallway, according to witness testimony and surveillance footage. Hribal, who witnesses said looked "emotionless" during the attack, wounded 20 students and a security guard before he was subdued by Sam King, the school's assistant principal, with the help of student Ian Griffith.http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/25/justice/pennsylvania-school-stabbing/ Complaint: School stabbing suspect said, 'I have more people to kill' April 25, 2014 CNN October 2, 2014 While he was being restrained by King, Hribal reportedly refused to drop the knives, saying, "My work is not done. I have more people to kill."School Stab-Spree Suspect Alex Hribal Planned to Kill, Cops Say, NBC News, April 25, 2014.http://onwardstate.com/2014/04/09/future-penn-stater-helps-thwart-high-school-stabber/ Future Penn Stater Helps Thwart High School Stabber Onward State April 10, 2014 October 2, 2014"Teen stabs 22 at Pittsburgh-area high school"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/gracey-evans-franklin-regional_n_5119725.html School Stabbing Hero Gracey Evans: 'He Saved My Life, So I Saved His' April 9, 2014 The Huffington Post October 2, 2014 Aftermath A total of 22 people, including Hribal, were injured during the rampage. Officials said Hribal did not appear to have targeted any specific person. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) treated twelve patients. UPMC officials stated that two boys were in critical condition, two boys were in serious condition, and a boy and two girls were in fair condition. One victim was placed on a ventilator after a knife pierced his liver, while another suffered an open wound to the face that required 11 sutures. The teenage victims ranged in age from 14 to 17.Begos, Kevin. Police: Pa. student flashed 2 knives, injured 20, Associated Press, April 9, 2014. Eight other patients were taken to Forbes Regional Hospital in nearby Monroeville.http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-pennsylvania-high-school-stabbing-20140409,0,3730759.story#axzz2yJxR70sW 20 stabbed at Pennsylvania high school; student had 2 knives Los Angeles Times April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 Susman, Tina Several of those victims suffered serious injuries, including "deep wounds to the abdomen," according to hospital officials.http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/04/09/multiple-students-reported-stabbed-at-franklin-regional-high-school/ 20-Injured In Stabbing At Franklin Regional High School CBS Pittsburgh April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 In addition to the stabbing victims, two other students suffered unrelated injuries while fleeing the school. Hribal was treated for injuries to his hand.http://www.enquirerherald.com/2014/04/18/2998841/victim-improving-as-school-seeks.html 2 Pa. school stabbing victims' conditions improve October 2, 2014https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2014/04/23/Warrant-details-items-in-locker-of-Franklin-Regional-stabbing-suspect/stories/201404230191 Two Franklin Regional stabbing victims released from hospitals Pittsburgh Post-Gazette April 23, 2014 April 24, 2014 On May 18, 2014, Greg Keener, the last of the victims, was discharged from Forbes Regional Hospital.http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/school-stabbing-spree/last-victim-pennsylvania-school-stabbing-spree-leaves-hospital-n108351 Last Victim of Pennsylvania School Stabbing Spree Leaves Hospital NBC News 18 May 2014 21 May 2014 Fieldstadt, Elisha Franklin Regional High School was closed for several days while workers from a restoration company cleaned up.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/us/stabbings-franklin-regional-high-school-murrysville.html?hpw&rref=education&_r=0 Student Stabs at Least 20 at Pennsylvania School New York Times April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 Williams, Timothyhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/09/pa-school-stabbings/7498911/ At least 19 stabbed at Pa. school; suspect arrested USA Today April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 Stanglin, Doughttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/04/four_students_still_hospitaliz.html Four students still hospitalized after Murrysville school stabbing rampage PennLive.com April 13, 2014 October 2, 2014 On April 14, classes resumed at the school.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/students-return-penn-high-school-time-stabbing-article-1.1757505 Students return to Penn. high school for first time since 22 were stabbed by 16-year-old suspect NY Daily News April 15, 2014 October 2, 2014 On April 9, 2015, Murrysville marked the one-year anniversary of the stabbing rampage. Several local churches held worship services that night.http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/04/09/community-healing-1-year-after-franklin-regional-stabbings/ Community Healing 1 Year After Franklin Regional Stabbings CBS Pittsburgh April 9, 2015 April 26, 2015 Perpetrator Alexander Brando HribalCOMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA v. ALEXANDER BRANDO HRIBAL https://cases.justia.com/pennsylvania/superior-court/2019-697-wda-2018.pdf?ts=1571854483 (born October 1, 1997)https://news.yahoo.com/school-stabbing-suspect-wants-remain-juvenile-center-124748136.html Teen who stabbed high school students must go to jail at 18 Yahoo! News September 24, 2015 September 24, 2015 was taken into custody after the stabbing as the suspected perpetrator.http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-pennsylvania-high-school-stabbing-20140409,0,6765295.story Multiple students stabbed in Pennsylvania Chicago Tribune April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 He alleged that he was depressed, had suicidal thoughts during the fifth grade, and that those emotions returned while he was attending Franklin Regional High School.http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/09/26/franklin-regional-stabbing-suspect-expected-in-court-judge-to-mull-housing/ Testimony: Franklin Regional Stabbing Suspect's Attack Inspired By Columbine CBS Pittsburgh 26 September 2014 27 September 2014 Guidotti, Ross He was believed by police to have threatened at least two students by phone prior to the rampage, but neither student was one of the victims.https://www.foxnews.com/us/police-believe-accused-high-school-stabber-threatened-2-classmates-before-spree/ Police believe accused high school stabber threatened 2 classmates before spree Fox News October 2, 2014 Officials have declared that Hribal was responsible for the stabbing, that he stabbed people in multiple classrooms, and that he used two "straight knives", measuring 8 to 10 inches (20.32 to 25.4 cm), to carry it out.https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/04/09/300872511/many-students-stabbed-cut-at-pennsylvania-high-school About 19 Students Injured In Knife Attack At Pa. High School April 9, 2014 NPR.org October 2, 2014 According to testimony, Hribal had begun planning the attack on September 22, 2013. Several items belonging to Hribal were seized from his home, including a notebook with writing in it and a knife holder assumed to have held the two knives used in the attack. A cellphone was also seized from Hribal's school locker,http://www.wtae.com/news/search-warrant-for-franklin-regional-suspect-home-in-murrysville/25470604 FBI agents seize cellphone from Alex Hribal's school locker, several items from his Murrysville home wtae April 23, 2014 October 2, 2014 as was a note titled "Ragnarok", dated April 6, which read, "I can't wait to see the priceless and helpless looks on the faces of the students of one of the 'best schools in Pennsylvania' realize their precious lives are going to be taken by the only one among them that isn't a plebian ."http://www.boston.com/news/education/2014/04/25/cops-boy-knife-attacks-wrote-chilling-note/Dc2lyNBVVlnKH3tl2YqVhL/story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234530/http://www.boston.com/news/education/2014/04/25/cops-boy-knife-attacks-wrote-chilling-note/Dc2lyNBVVlnKH3tl2YqVhL/story.html dead April 26, 2014 Cops: Boy In Knife Attacks Wrote Chilling Note Boston.com April 25, 2014 April 25, 2014 Associated Press On June 10, 2014, a warrant was unsealed which stated that Hribal had written a document about the Norse legend Ragnarök, as well as his dissatisfaction with society.https://www.foxnews.com/us/search-warrant-pennsylvania-school-stabbing-suspect-wrote-about-norse-end-of-world-legend/ Search warrant: Pennsylvania school stabbing suspect wrote about Norse end-of-world legend Fox News Channel June 16, 2014 June 16, 2014 Associated Press The warrant also stated that two students had received threatening phone calls on the day before the stabbing, which were suspected to have been from Hribal. On September 26, 2014, psychologist Bruce Chambers testified that Hribal was inspired by the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, that he identified with the perpetrators Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, and that he had originally planned to carry out the stabbing on April 20, the fifteenth anniversary of Columbine, but changed the date to April 9, the birthday of Eric Harris, because April 20 fell on a Sunday that year. Prosecution, guilty plea, and sentencing Hribal was initially charged as an adult with four counts of attempted homicide, 21 counts of aggravated assault, and one count of carrying a weapon on school property.Continuing Coverage of the Franklin Regional High School Stabbings https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123532/http://www.wtae.com/highschoolstabbings April 13, 2014 , WTAE, April 9, 2014. On April 25, 2014, Hribal's charges were upgraded to 21 counts of attempted homicide and 21 counts of aggravated assault, after investigators discovered a note written by him that declared his intention to take lives during the attack.New charges filed against Franklin Regional stabbing, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 25, 2014.https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2014/04/25/Alex-Hribal-charges-upgraded-for-Franklin-Regional-stabbing-suspect-Pittsburgh/stories/201404250177 New charges filed against Franklin Regional stabbing suspect Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 2, 2014McClam, Erin. Alex Hribal Is Not 'a Loner or a Weirdo,' Lawyer Says, NBC News, April 11, 2014.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0a9p9ktmTo Alex Hribal to Be Tried as Adult for Knife Attack in Murrysville School ABC News 9 May 2016 27 April 2017 In June 2014, Hribal pleaded not guilty to all charges.Daley Elizabeth 12 June 2014 Pennsylvania School Stabbing Suspect Alex Hribal Pleads Not Guilty http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/12/alex-hribal-pleads-not-guilty_n_5486562.html 16 June 2014 Huffington Post He waived a formal arraignment.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/02/alex-hribal-waives-appearance-_n_5432924.html Alex Hribal, Suspect In School Stabbing Spree, Waives Court Appearance June 2, 2014 The Huffington Post October 2, 2014 The Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Richard E. McCormick, Jr. ordered a mental health assessment for Hribal.http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/6425806-74/hribal-mental-juvenile#axzz37k1RoPf7 Doctor for prosecution to evaluate Franklin Regional stabbing suspect's mental state Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 10 July 2014 17 July 2014 Cholodofsky, Rich In September 2014, while leaving a mental health hearing, Hribal told a news reporter that he was sorry for committing the attack. He was expected to be transferred to Southwood Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after passing a medical examination and psychiatric evaluation, but the hospital refused to admit him, reportedly due to safety concerns.https://news.yahoo.com/accused-pennsylvania-stabber-rejected-psychiatric-unit-judge-175632069.html Accused Pennsylvania stabber rejected by psychiatric unit: judge Yahoo! News September 30, 2014 Three psychiatrists testified for the defense, saying that Hribal had major depressive disorder and schizotypal personality disorder. They all agreed that he was responding to treatment.http://www.wtae.com/article/adult-or-juvenile-hearing-to-continue-for-franklin-regional-stabbing-suspect-alex-hribal/7472251 Adult or juvenile? Hearing to continue for Franklin Regional stabbing suspect Alex Hribal WTAE June 22, 2016 December 27, 2016 Ashlie Hardway A trial date was postponed several times.https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2014/10/30/Hribal-seeks-trial-postponement-in-Franklin-Regional-High-School-stabbings-Murrysville-Pittsburgh/stories/201410300266 Hribal seeks trial postponement in Franklin Regional stabbings Post-Gazette October 30, 2014http://www.wtae.com/news/alex-hribals-defense-attorney-wants-more-time-in-franklin-regional-stabbings/29428032 Trial delayed until March in high school stabbings WTAE-TV October 31, 2014 April 12, 2015http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/8463906-74/hribal-franklin-hearing#axzz3bd1QL2DB Juvenile status hearing, trial delayed in Franklin Regional stabbings Tribune-Review May 29, 2015 May 30, 2015 A hearing was held to determine whether the case would be transferred to juvenile court;http://www.wtae.com/news/alex-hribal-status-hearing-trial-delayed-in-school-stabbings/33283664 Juvenile status hearing, trial delayed in school stabbings WTAE Pittsburgh May 29, 2015 May 30, 2015http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Hearing-to-Move-Pa-High-School-Stabbing-Case-to-Juvenile-Court-Trial-Delayed-305439041.html Hearing to Move Pa. High School Stabbing Case to Juvenile Court, Trial Delayed NBC News May 29, 2015 May 30, 2015 victims of the rampage testified about their injuries and urged the judge to try Hribal as an adult.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/23/alex-hribal-update_n_7648440.html Pennsylvania School Stabbing Victims Urge Judge To 'Fix Evil' By Trying Alex Hribal As Adult The Huffington Post June 23, 2015 August 18, 2015 In September 2015, a judge ruled that Hribal must be transferred from a juvenile detention center to Westmoreland County Prison when he turns eighteen years old.http://www.wtae.com/news/franklin-regional-hs-stabbings-suspect-wants-bond-to-get-out-of-jail/36049368 No bail for Alex Hribal in Franklin Regional High School stabbing case WTAE October 26, 2015 May 30, 2016 Ashlie Hardway In October 2015, this transfer was carried out, and the judge refused to set bail for Hribal, citing public safety concerns.http://www.wtae.com/news/judge-denies-request-to-keep-franklin-regional-stabbing-suspect-alex-hribal-in-juvenile-detention-center/35457810 Franklin Regional stabbing suspect transferred out of juvenile detention WTAE October 1, 2015 May 30, 2016 Ashlie Hardway David Kaplan In June and November 2015, testimony statements were given by victims and defense experts in regards to the decision whether Hribal's case should be moved to juvenile court. The prosecution argued that Hribal planned the attack in advance and traumatized his victims and the community, while Hribal's lawyer argued that no one was killed during the stabbings despite the serious injuries inflicted, and that the victims' testimonies indicated they appeared to have moved on.http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/10303659-74/hribal-peck-court Hribal aimed to kill in Franklin Regional school stabbing spree, Westmoreland DA Peck argues Tribune Live April 13, 2016 May 30, 2016 Liz Zembahttp://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/9985071-74/hribal-moved-victims Victims of Franklin Regional stabbings have 'moved on,' Hribal attorney says Tribune Live February 16, 2016 May 30, 2016 Liz Zemba In May 2016, Judge Christopher Feliciani ruled that Hribal would be tried as an adult.http://www.wtae.com/news/alex-hribal-to-be-tried-as-adult-for-knife-attack-in-murrysville-school/39456498 Alex Hribal to be tried as adult for knife attack in Murrysville school WTAE May 9, 2016 May 30, 2016 Sheldon Ingram On October 24, 2017, Hribal, then 20, pleaded guilty in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas to 21 counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Defense attorney Thomassey said that the Hribal family wished to spare victims from having to testify and relive the attack at trial. The plea came after Judge Feliciani denied the defense's requests to allow Hribal to plead guilty but mentally ill. District Attorney John Peck stated that he planned to push for a prison sentence of 30 to 60 years, while Thomassey said he will argue for "as light a sentence as I can."https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2017/10/24/Alex-Hribal-pleads-21-counts-Franklin-Regional-stabbings-attempted-homicide-aggravated-assault-westmoreland-county/stories/201710240091 Alex Hribal pleads to 21 counts in Franklin Regional stabbings Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 24, 2017 November 7, 2017 Molly Born On January 22, 2018, Judge Christopher Feliciani sentenced Alex Hribal to serve 23 ½ to 60 years in prison.http://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13191726-74/alex-hribal-gets-up-to-60-years-in-prison-for-franklin-regional Alex Hribal gets up to 60 years in prison for Franklin Regional attack; bullying claim denied Cholodofsky Rich TribLIVE.com en-US 2018-01-22 Hribal appealed the sentence stating that he was mentally ill at the time of the attack and that his obsession with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold made him feel connected to their crimes. On October 23, 2019, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania rejected Hribal's claim and upheld the lower court's verdict. As of December 2024, Hribal has been incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution in Albion, Pennsylvania. School security The school was not equipped with metal detectors.http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/school-stabbing-spree/five-questions-about-alex-hribal-pennsylvania-school-stabbings-n76391 Five Questions About Alex Hribal and the Pennsylvania School Stabbings NBC News 2014-04-09 Alex Johnson Since February 2013, the school district had 130 video cameras from various schools live streamed to police, explained as a precaution against violent incidents.http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/murrysville-district-streaming-130-cameras-police/nWSSk/ Murrysville district streaming 130 cameras to police 2013-02-19 WPXI.com April 10, 2014 April 13, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140413151326/http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/murrysville-district-streaming-130-cameras-police/nWSSk/ dead On May 5, 2014, the school distributed clear backpacks to all of its students, courtesy of Monroeville car dealership, #1 Cochran.http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/05/05/clear-backpacks-to-be-distributed-to-franklin-regional-students/ Clear Backpacks Distributed To Franklin Regional Students CBS Pittsburgh 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 Orlando, Trina School district spokeswoman Mary Catherine Reljac said in a statement that the measure was intended to "bring an added sense of safety and security during the school day as the school community continues to heal".http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/school-stabbing-spree/stabbing-spree-prompts-clear-bag-rule-pennsylvania-school-n97251 Stabbing Spree Prompts Clear-Bag Rule at Pennsylvania School NBC News 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 Connor, Tracy Reaction Following the incident, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett visited Murrysville and held a press conference, during which he gave a speech praising the heroes of the rampage. He also called April 9 another "sad day" in the country and asked if schools should have metal detectors. On April 10, U.S. President Barack Obama called Franklin Principal Ron Suvak to tell him that the FBI would continue to assist in the investigation of the attack.Brown Pamela Mallonee Mary Kay Carter Chelsea J. http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/10/justice/pennsylvania-school-stabbing/ After Pennsylvania school stabbing, authorities and community ask: 'Why?' CNN April 10, 2014 See also Crime in Pennsylvania List of attacks related to secondary schools 1998 Parker Middle School dance shooting – fatal shooting at a Pennsylvania school dance References Crime Pennsylvania Category:2014 in Pennsylvania Category:Attacks on schools in the United States Category:Crimes in Pennsylvania Category:Mass stabbings in the United States Category:History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Category:Stabbing attacks in 2014 Category:Attacks in the United States in 2014 Category:April 2014 in the United States Category:April 2014 crimes in the United States Category:Knife attacks in the United States Category:Columbine High School massacre copycat crimes Category:School stabbings in the United States Category:Attacks on schools in 2014