By Matthew McGevna
while he was sitting in his car with some friends in the back parking lot of the high school, and police say they have caught the teen who committed the crime.
According to police, the 17-year-old victim was sitting in his car with three other friends when 17-year-old John Aniano of Island Park drove up to him in his own vehicle and began shouting. Aniano then pulled the victim out of the passenger door of his vehicle, punched him and repeatedly stabbed him in the arm and leg, police said, before driving off.
The victim, whom police did not identify, was transported to Mercy Hospital, where he was treated for his stab wounds and released. Officials say they caught up to Aniano at his home, and that when he was arrested, he was in possession of a folding knife and marijuana.
Students at the high school said a stabbing like this had never happened, and that security guards are usually on school grounds, but they added that during lunch time, when the attack took place, most of the security guards are in the cafeteria monitoring students.
³The security inside the school is really good ‹ they¹ve really cracked down on fights and stuff ‹ but to be honest, they do need to beef up security in the parking lot,² said one student. Another claimed that she has observed cars driving in and out of the parking lot without ever being stopped or questioned by security.
School Superintendent Rich Cunningham explained that there are five security guards on site at all times, and that parking lots are covered as well. ³We have a roving security guard who does patrol the area,² Cunningham said. ³He was not in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the incident was observable on the security tape.²
Another student said that Aniano, also known as ³Austin,² attended West Hempstead High School until he dropped out. A number of students said they believed the fight was over money, but.either police nor school officials were able to confirm that claim.
Acquaintances of the victim said they were surprised by the attack, and had no prior knowledge that something like this would happen.²[The victim] is a typical teenage kid,² said one student.
The school released an official statement that summarized the attack and assured parents that the school ³maintains a comprehensive security plan that includes security camera observation and active security surveillance.²
Aniano was arraigned on Feb. 6 and is being charged with Assault, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
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