Teen Kills Classmate Inside Classroom in Horror Attack

A shocking tragedy has rocked an Arizona high school after a fight inside a classroom turned deadly, leaving one student dead and another facing a murder charge.

On Tuesday morning, Phoenix police arrested 16-year-old Chris D. Aguilar, charging him as an adult with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his classmate, 16-year-old Michael Montoya II, at Maryvale High School.

According to police, the violent incident unfolded just before 11 a.m. when Aguilar allegedly switched seats to sit next to Montoya. Witnesses told investigators that Aguilar began punching Montoya before pulling a folding pocketknife from his pants and stabbing him multiple times.

Two teachers reportedly saw the attack happen inside the classroom. Afterward, Aguilar fled the room but was quickly apprehended by school security officers, who noticed he was bleeding from his hand. The weapon was later recovered on campus.

Montoya received emergency treatment at the school before being rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Court documents revealed a disturbing possible motive. Just two days before the stabbing, Montoya had allegedly robbed Aguilar of a firearm. Afterward, Aguilar and his twin brother were reportedly overheard saying they planned to “murder the victim.”

Phoenix Police confirmed that multiple witnesses were interviewed and video footage reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. Aguilar is currently being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

“This is a terrible tragedy,” said State Superintendent Tom Horne. “Schools must be safe places. We will do everything possible to ensure students are protected.”