Student accused in Spring Valley school stabbing officially indicted

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (WABC) -- A 16-year-old student charged with repeatedly stabbing another student inside a Rockland County high school appeared in court Monday and was officially indicted.

Christopher Bermeo, of Spring Valley, is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault and second-degree assault. He is being held on $500,000 bail.

"According to the charges, the defendant attacked the victim when he confronted him in a bustling school hallway," Rockland County district attorney Thomas Zugibe said. "The victim was stabbed four times and treated for serious injuries at a local hospital. The charges involve a violent assault with a dangerous weapon and will be vigorously prosecuted."

In court late last week, the judge refused to lower bail, with Bermeo's attorney arguing that the teen was defending himself.

Bermeo is a suspect in a number of other crimes, including a rape and a robbery.

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Spring Valley High School just prior to the start of the school day.

Authorities say a scuffle broke out as students were heading inside, and the 17-year-old student was stabbed multiple times in the hallway. The victim was stabbed at least four times in the side, chest, shoulder and arm, but the injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Bermeo is known to the victim and was reportedly apprehended at home. Authorities said he hopped in a cab after the incident.

"It was by the Spanish wing inside the school in the hallway," police chief Paul Modica said. "The secondary fight occurred in a classroom. I believe the suspect's friend tracked down a friend of the defendant and entered the classroom, and a fight ensued."

According to the Journal News, the public defender said Bermeo had been bullied by the victim over the past few weeks. He told the court that Bermeo feared for his safety and defended himself.

"I was very disappointed, disappointed and distraught," parent Rhonda Payne said. "Children need to come to school for an education, and it's not right, all this violence."