Julia Salas used strong words to describe a domestic slashing incident that took place inside a Bronx elementary school Thursday morning. 

“Chaos and mayhem,” said Salas, adding, “the violence is just getting out of hand.”

The incident happened at PS 69 Journey Prep, shortly before students arrived. 

Authorities say at about 8 A.M. a 23-year-old male charged into the school and attacked a female guidance counselor, who may have been a former girlfriend. 

What You Need To Know

  • A school safety agent and a teacher were slashed when trying to restrain an intruder during an attack at PS 69 Journey Prep

  • Authorities say at about 8 A.M. a 23-year-old male charged into the school and attacked a female guidance counselor, who may have been a former girlfriend

  • A school safety agent and a male teacher both tried to stop the male attacker and ended up getting slashed in the process. The male teacher was slashed on his left arm and school agent slashed in the back of his neck and on his left ear
  • The suspect was identified as Claudio Villar. He was arrested and charged with attempted manslaughter, burglary, obstruction of governmental administration, criminal possession of a weapon and acting in a manner injurious to a child

A school safety agent and a male teacher both tried to get the male attacker off the counselor and ended up getting slashed in the process when a knife was pulled. 

The male teacher was slashed on his left arm, police said. A graphic photo shows the injuries of the safety agent who was slashed in the back of his neck and on his left ear. Both victims were taken to Jacobi hospital. 

“The agents are here to protect my children and if something like that happened to them, I could just imagine what could happen to my child,” said Salas. 

Parents dropping off their young children Thursday morning were met with a heavy police presence, which did raise concerns.

“We saw all the cop cars out here, the ambulance,” said Diane McDonald, a mother of a 5-year-old that attends the school. “My son was frightened, he didn’t want to go to school and they said, “It’s your choice. You can let him go to school or bring him home.’”

McDonald decided to let her 10-year-old son Dylan Anderson go to school after being told the suspect was apprehended. 

“I was scared at the beginning, but when we got to the end of the day I felt good,” said Dylan.  

The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Claudio Villar. He was arrested and charged with attempted manslaughter, burglary, obstruction of governmental administration, criminal possession of a weapon and acting in a manner injurious to a child. 

 

Union 237, which represents school safety agents across the city, says this could have been worse, and it is exactly why the city needs more funding for agents. 

 

At a press conference, the School Chancellor David Banks expressed outrage.

 

“This is not how we should be spending our days and it’s been day after day after day of just madness, so we’re in a tough time, but we’re going to work our way through,” said  Banks.

 

It’s all too much for Salas. The mother of two said this latest incident of violence here in the city ensures her that she and her family need to head south.

 

“I’m out, as soon as I can I’m leaving,” said Salas. “I’m trying to get my daughter to finish the middle school semester and then we’re going to go ahead and go and hopefully it works out best for us.”