STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Bronx High School Stabbing Results In The Death Of 15-Year-Old Matthew McCree And Leaves A 16-Year-Old Critically Wounded

School administrators say the suspect was being bullied.

A stabbing at a high school in the Bronx on Wednesday resulted in the death of 15-year-old Matthew McCree and the critical wounding of an unidentified 16-year-old, who is in stable condition. 

As a result of the attack, the building was put on lockdown and many students were put into a state of fear. P.S. 67, an elementary school, and the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, grades 6-12, are both housed in the building that was affected by the lockdown.

Both victims of the stabbing and the suspect attended the Wildlife Conservation school, reported the New York Times. According to New York police, 18-year-old Abel Cedeno, was taken into custody and was charged with murder and attempted murder.

Robert K. Boyce, the chief of detectives, told the NY Times Cedeno handed over the switchblade he used in the assault to a school counselor. He then waited in an administrator’s office while police were called to the scene.  

Kevin Sampson, a dean at the school, told reporters at a news conference Wednesday the incident resulted from weeks “bullying.” Chief Boyce added that it appeared the three students involved had been in a dispute since school started this year.

McCree, was stabbed in the chest, and after Dean Sampson performed CPR, the 15-year-old was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other victim was stabbed in the arm and the torso. Sampson was shaken by the entire incident.

“Two of my students got stabbed and one of them died,” Sampson told the NY Times. “It was about what it’s always about — bullying.”

Asia Johnson and Yanique Heatley, both 18, knew all three of the people involved and told a  reporter Cedeno was “different from the other guys.”

“He likes Nicki Minaj, stuff from H&M. He likes Kylie Jenner,” Heatley told the Times.

“This hurts,” Johnson added. “No one should experience bullying but there’s a way to handle it,”

At a news conference with police and school officials, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said everyone in the community has been affected by the violence.

“It’s unacceptable to ever lose a child to violence inside a school building,” de Blasio said. “All of us are feeling this tragedy very personally.”

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.