‘Absolutely devastated’: GoFundMe launched for student killed at Northeast Middle School
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Northeast Middle School stabbing
Kansas City police responded to a stabbing on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at Northeast Middle School, 4904 Independence Ave. Arriving officers found 14-year-old Manuel J. Guzman with stab wounds in a bathroom. He was taken to a hospital where he died later that day. Another student was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder in Jackson County Juvenile Court.
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The family of the 14-year-old boy killed Tuesday at Northeast Middle School has launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses.
Manuel Guzman died after being found stabbed inside a school bathroom. Another student has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon in Jackson County Juvenile Court.
“Manuel Guzman’s life was cut short tragically,” GoFundMe page organizer Juan Guzman wrote. “The Family is absolutely devastated by his tragic passing and is struggling to find the funds to cover the funeral expenses.”
The fundraiser, which was verified by the company, has received $3,875 of its $25,555 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.
Officers responded after 9 a.m. Tuesday to the school at 4904 Independence Avenue in the South Indian Mound neighborhood on reports of a stabbing. Arriving officers found Guzman inside a bathroom with stab wounds and immediately began rendering first aid along with school security. Emergency medical crews responded and took the student to Children’s Mercy with critical injuries.
The school went into lockdown and police shut down streets in the area immediately surrounding the school. Students were let out of class early and reunited with their families.
Police announced Tuesday night that Guzman had died from his injuries.
School officials said Tuesday in a letter to families that classes would be in session Wednesday at Northeast Middle School. Resources including mental health counseling were being made available. Additional security was being arranged as well.
“Please know that safety above all else will always be a focus of our administrative team, our Board of Directors and our entire staff,” Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell said in a letter Tuesday evening. “We will continue to lead with a high degree of transparency as we strive to maintain safe learning environments for all of our students.”
In a statement Tuesday night, Mayor Quinton Lucas offered condolences to the family of the victim.
“I am very saddened to hear that the middle schooler stabbed today at school has died,” the mayor said. “Too many of children are struggling and we all have to do more to get them the help they need.”
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 1:59 PM.
