Man arrested after stabbing Ohio elementary school principal

OHIO — The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing incident at South Point Elementary School, where Principal William Christian was attacked by a parent early Thursday afternoon.

Around 1:41 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that Principal Christian had been stabbed by 43-year-old Joshua Lee Collins of Huntington, WV.

A South Point Police officer arrived within one minute and took Collins into custody inside the building. The school immediately went into lockdown, and no students were harmed.

Authorities report that Collins, reportedly upset over a child custody issue, entered the school’s front office before meeting Principal Christian in the hallway.

Collins allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket, stabbing Christian in the neck and upper torso.

The principal retreated into a locked office, but Collins reportedly broke through the glass window in the door and pursued him into various parts of the office and cafeteria before officers intervened.

Principal Christian received initial treatment from the school nurse and Lawrence County EMS before being transported to a local hospital. Collins, who suffered cuts to his arms, was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

A warrant was issued for Collins on a charge of felonious assault, and he was later arrested by Huntington Police.

Collins will face an extradition hearing before returning to Lawrence County, where additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.

The scene is being processed by the BCI&I Crime Scene Unit, with Lawrence County Detectives continuing the investigation.