A 12-year-old student attacked a seven-year-old boy with a knife inside a bathroom at the Escuela Montserrat Robert de García in Renca on Tuesday. The incident marks the latest in a series of violent episodes occurring within Chile’s public school system.
The aggressor, who is in the sixth grade and joined the school earlier this year, reportedly did not know the victim. According to Flavia Fiabane, deputy director of technical support for the Los Parques Public Education Local Service (SLEP), the encounter between the two students appeared to be unprovoked.
“As a consequence, he had superficial cuts on the back of his shoulder,” Fiabane told TVN. “He was taken to the hospital, stayed for about an hour and a half, and was discharged due to the superficial nature of the cuts.”
Institutional response and legal standing
The SLEP Los Parques released a statement confirming that they are working alongside the Renca municipality to provide support to the affected family. Officials stated they are prioritizing the safety of the school community following the breach of security.
Because the attacker is 12 years old, he is considered inimputable under Chilean law. He cannot face criminal charges for the assault. However, school administrators confirmed they will apply the internal school regulation, which could result in disciplinary sanctions against the student.
The Municipality of Renca confirmed that the Local Office of Childhood and the 'Lazos' program have reached out to both families involved. These departments are providing psychological support, orientation, and specialized guidance to those affected by the incident.
The school operates under the jurisdiction of the SLEP Los Parques. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the knife was brought from home or obtained on school grounds, but investigations into the security protocols at the facility are ongoing.
