Santa Rosa police arrested seven students after a fight at Montgomery High School, 1250 Hahman Drive, put the campus on lockdown on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20, 2026. Police say a 15-year-old student pulled a knife and moved toward another student until a school employee stepped between them.

Why it matters: Several students were hurt, one badly enough to go to the hospital. Police say the fight was likely gang-related. Montgomery is the school where a 16-year-old student was fatally stabbed in 2023.

What happened

Police got several reports of a physical fight among students at about 1:10 p.m. Callers said they saw a knife, and police also got unconfirmed reports that someone might have a gun. Sixteen officers responded, and the school went on lockdown.

Officers searched the campus and worked with school staff and video footage to identify the students involved. According to the preliminary investigation, a 15-year-old boy showed a knife and tried to "aggressively advance" toward another student. A school employee stepped between them.

"The employee's brave actions prevented the armed student from advancing further toward the other student, potentially preventing additional injuries," police said in a statement.

The student with the knife left campus before officers arrived. Police later found him hiding behind a home across the street on Rock Creek Drive. They recovered a knife with a 4-inch fixed blade close to where he was found.

Injuries and the lockdown

Several students had minor injuries and were treated at the scene. One student was taken to a hospital with injuries to his face and hand. Police said they found no gun and no evidence that one was involved.

Once officers decided there was no ongoing threat, the lockdown was lifted shortly after 1:55 p.m. Middle school students on campus were released to parents and guardians first, then the high schoolers, with officers helping.

Who was arrested

All seven were arrested on suspicion of battery on school grounds: a 14-year-old boy, three 15-year-old boys and three 16-year-old boys. The 15-year-old police say had the knife was also arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon and having a weapon on school grounds. Police did not release the students' names because they are minors.

Past violence at Montgomery High

In March 2023, a 16-year-old student was stabbed to death at Montgomery, and the school's principal and assistant principal were then placed on leave. Earlier this year, Santa Rosa City Schools settled with two of the families involved for $6.25 million, CBS News Bay Area reported.

Santa Rosa police ask anyone with information to call the department's Gang Crimes Team at 707-543-4021 or send an anonymous tip at srcity.org/CrimeTips. For more Sonoma County school news, see our report on the Sonoma Valley High School flag policy walkout.