Juvenile arrested after pulling knife during nighttime fight at West Salem High School

A fight at West Salem High School Thursday night resulted in someone pulling a knife.

A juvenile was later arrested, but authorities have not said what his involvement was in the fight.

The incident occurred in a parking lot after Walker Middle School's promotion event for eighth-grade graduates, held at the high school, Walker Principal Paul Myers said in a statement. -email sent to families Thursday evening.

A juvenile was arrested and booked into the Yamhill County Juvenile Detention Center, according to Polk County Prosecutor Aaron Felton.

Felton said he would not provide details “given that this is an ongoing investigation involving juveniles.”

Myers wrote in his statement that a physical altercation broke out between a group of people in the parking lot.

“It is not yet clear what prompted this and will be investigated.” At one point, an individual pulled out a knife,” he wrote.

The principal said school staff intervened and police responded quickly. “We do not believe any injuries have been reported at this time,” he wrote.

Dispatch reports show police responded to a fight at the school just after 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Salem Police Department did not respond to written questions about the incident Friday.

An emergency dispatcher at the time reported to Salem officers, “A suspect was holding a knife to a victim's throat,” according to the radio call.

Salem-Keizer School District spokesman Aaron Harada said at least one of those involved was a student, but he had no further information about what happened.

Harada also didn't know how many people attended the promotional event, but said Walker MIddle School had 189 eighth-graders.

Myers wrote in his statement that the school would have increased security Friday, the last school day of the year, “out of an abundance of caution.”

“We are following our protocols and working with our district safety team to further investigate this situation,” he said.

Myers said anyone with safety concerns should notify law enforcement, school administrators or use SafeOregon to make a confidential report by calling or texting 844-472-3367. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected] or submitted on the Safe Oregon app.

Contact journalist Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.

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