Jan 15, 2008 11:31 pm US/Eastern
Teen Recovering After Vicious Slashing Attack
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A West Philadelphia High School student is recovering after receiving over 100 stitches after being slashed during an after school attack.
Authorities said the altercation happened one block from the school at 48th and Spruce Streets at about Monday afternoon.
According to police, Shakia West and a 16-year-old female friend were waiting for a bus when a group of about 6 to 10 girls from their West Philadelphia High School got out of a car and started allegedly attacking the two with a razor. West said an older adult held her down while the others attacked.
West, 15, suffered lacerations and stab wounds to the back of her head, cheeks, bridge of nose and hands. She was taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was treated for her injuries and released. Shakia received approximately 114 stitches.
"The victim believes that being a new transfer into this particular school that the people just didn't like her there," said Lt. John Walker.
The 16-year-old suffered stab wounds to her lip and her forehead. The parents of the 16-year-old victim knew their daughter was a target at the school and had asked the administration for help on Monday.
"The school was very aware of what was going on," said Shakia's mother.
"We are going to do everything we can to bring about an arrest for all those that were involved, we have a very seriously injured young woman and we are going to what we can to stop this and to hold those people that were responsible for that incident accountable," said Captain Ben Naish.
Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and at this time no arrests have been made. Police believe an adult may have played a role by driving the group of teens around looking for the alleged victims.
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