Since the Sept. 20 stabbing altercation involving three students, classes have resumed but tensions have remained high and new details have surfaced.

In our prior update, SAC Media reported that according to Mt. SAC Campus Safety and Police, there was no initial report of a stabbing or blood. That information was provided by Chief Mike Williams.

However, Chara Powell, a psychology professor at Mt. SAC, made the call to campus safety at 11:31 a.m. the day of the incident, indicating a fight had broken out. While on that call, another faculty member informed Powell that it had escalated into a stabbing. Powell then said to campus safety, “Someone was stabbed! I’m calling 911!” She then used her cell phone to call 911 at 11:33 a.m.

Powell was on the phone with 911 dispatch for 13 minutes repeatedly stating that someone had been stabbed, that there was a lot of blood and she was concerned about where the knife was now.

On Oct. 1, Gavin Flores, the stabber, was originally charged with battery and bringing weapons with him on school grounds at an initial appearance in the Pomona Courthouse.

According to Walnut Sheriff’s Deputy Louise Mayo, the defendant pled no contest to a misdemeanor violation of PC 626.10 for 1 year of summary probation, 15 days of community labor, Search and Seizure conditions, and Weapons conditions. Mayo also stated that Deputy District Attorney Richard Dooley, who was the DA in charge of her case, pushed for the charges to be reduced based on the totality of the situation.

Mayo also clarified the weapon used in the incident was a folding knife.

After the incident, many students and staff voiced their deep disappointment with campus safety’s overall response.

Williams told SAC Media on Sept. 23 that the school will hold an open community forum regarding campus safety and policing within the next two weeks. However, there has been no confirmation by administration if and when such a community forum will take place.

Stay tuned for more updates.