ATWATER  (AP) — A 16-year-old California high school student who is enrolled in a program for seriously emotionally disturbed youth was stabbed in the back Wednesday by another student in the campus cafeteria, officials said.
The attack at Atwater High School in Merced may have been gang-related and possible retaliation for a previous incident, police Lt. Samuel Joseph said. He told the Merced Sun-Star that the investigation was in its early stages.
The special needs student was stabbed in the back four or five times and also suffered a hand injury.
Police say his wounds appeared superficial and were not believed to be life threatening. He was flown to a hospital for treatment and later released, Merced County Office of Education spokesman Nathan Quevedo said.
Police recovered the knife that was used and arrested a 15-year-old. The names of the students were not released.