Now I know that fights happen on high school football teams like the wind blows. You have a locker room FULL of hyped up adolescents who are used to a high strung environment; but to critically stab a teammate…now that is something truly frightening. According to authorities in Athens, Alabama, that’s exactly what happened on the Athens High School football team.
18-year old Tarik Malone, was flown to Huntsville Hospital around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday after allegedly being stabbed in the abdomen by 16-year old teammate Rashaun Tyree Anderson. The stabbing is said to stem from an argument over a theft of an item at the team’s fieldhouse.
Malone’s family is reporting that Tarik is recovering in stable condition, but has lost a kidney and part of his colon as a result of being stabbed in the side by the three-inch pocketknife. Rashaun Anderson was taken in custody after being questioned at the scene and was later charged with second degree assault. His bond is being set at $5,000. Athens High School released this statement shortly after a Tuesday evening press conference:
“Athens City Schools is saddened by this situation, but wants to assure our students, parents, and community that we will continue to provide safe and secure buildings and grounds through our local partnership with the Athens Police Department. This isolated incident will not deter our diligence in this pursuit. We want to thank the Athens Police and Fire Departments and the Athens – Limestone Hospital Emergency Services for their quick and immediate response to our situation. I also appreciate the Athens High School administrators and faculty for responding quickly to get professional help to the campus. The location of the incident on campus and the immediate response of the city departments listed, allowed the school day to end normally and without activating additional emergency procedures. Several of our community members may be affected by this incident and all of the Athens High School counselors and staff will be available for any student that needs assistance.
All of the schools within the system will operate on their regular schedules tomorrow, but if parents wish to have personal time with their child instead, then the school system will honor those wishes and those absences will be excused. We expect there to be requests for additional information, but until the investigation is concluded, please know that we cannot comment.”
This is truly a tragic event that will undoubtedly alter the lives of these two young men for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, young Tarik is able make a solid recovery and continue to enjoy his youth. Also, I hope the young man charged with the stabbing receives the discipline and anger assistance he is clearly in need of. Even if something was stolen from him, you can’t go around stabbing classmates when they piss you off.