Tacoma high school stabbing suspect argues self-defense, is released on bail

A teen charged in connection with allegedly stabbing four of his classmates at Foss High School in April was released from detention after his attorney argued the boy acted in self-defense and a judge lowered his bail.

The 16-year-old, who is charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree assault, originally had bail set at $750,000 by a Pierce County Superior Court judge. On Monday, Judge Jennifer Andrews reduced the teen's bail to $250 after his attorney argued the charging documents filed by prosecutors omitted evidence that the teen may have been jumped" by his classmates, according to the defense motion.

The stabbings in the school's hallway left six injured - including the teen himself and a school security guard. Attorneys believe the teens got into a fight over a vape pen before the stabbing.

A student hurt in the stabbings in Tacoma had to have a portion of his lung removed, while another needed surgery for the wounds on his arm.

The teen's lawyer, James Hassan Curtis, wrote in the pleading for release that the existing bail amount was "imposed on a materially incomplete and misleading factual presentation." The four teens who were stabbed "were not spontaneous victims of an unprovoked attack but were part of a planned group assault arranged over a vape battery dispute," Curtis wrote.

The charging documents omitted the account of a witness - a teen girl not involved in the fight - who told a Tacoma police officer that the boys were trying to "set up" the teen, according to the motion. Campus security also reported observing the four boys attacking the 16-year-old while he was "cowering and protecting his head," the motion states.

During a recorded interview with the defense, the girl said another boy had told her he "basically paid the dudes to fight" the teen. The girl then reportedly talked to the 16-year-old about what the other boy said. She described his reaction as "concerned and repeatedly asking whether she was serious," the motion states.

A mother of one of the students who were stabbed sent a letter to the court asking the judge deny any reduction in bail or request for house arrest. "The trauma of that day" affects her son and family deeply, she wrote.

"My son suffered multiple stab wounds, including one that came dangerously close to his heart," the mother wrote. "We were told how serious his injuries were, and there were moments when we did not know if he would survive."

Another student who was injured wrote to the court that he has been feeling depressed and has anxiety since the stabbing.

The teen will be subject to electronic home monitoring, cannot contact witnesses or any of the people he allegedly assaulted and cannot use social media. He also is ordered not to go to Foss High School or any Tacoma public school.

The boy has a "strong family support system willing to supervise him and no criminal history, Curtis wrote. The boy's trial is set to begin in September.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 5:03 PM.