SOUTH POINT, Ohio — A man was arrested after allegedly stabbing the principal at South Point Elementary School Thursday, according to a press release from the Lawrence County Sheriff Department.

What You Need To Know

  • Law enforcment arrested a man for allegedly stabbing the principal at South Point Elementary School Thursday

  • Officials say no children were harmed during the situation

  • The press release from law enforcement alleges that Joshua Lee Collins, 43, stabbed Principal William Christian in the neck and torso

  • Both men were taken to the hospital

The suspect taken into custody is Joshua Lee Collins, 43, of Huntington, West Virginia.

The call came in at around 1:41 p.m., the release states, informing the sheriff’s office that the parent of a student had stabbed Principal William Christian and that the individual who did so was still inside the building.

A police officer responded within a minute and took the suspect into custody.

“As this situation was developing the school went into immediate lockdown,” the release reads. “No children were harmed during this incident.”

The release claims Collins was “upset over a child custody issue” and that, while talking with the principal, took a knife out of his pocket and stabbed him in the neck and torso.

“Mr. Christian fled back into the office behind a locked door, at which point Collins broke the glass out of the window in the door and entered the office,” the release continues. “Collins pursued Mr. Christian through multi parts of the office and finally into the cafeteria area. This is where the South Point Officer confronted Collins and took him into custody.”

The school nurse and Lawrence County EMS treated Christian before he was taken to the hospital.

The release said Collins was also taken to the hospital due to cuts on his arms, “possibly from the glass window that he broke.”

Police from Huntington, West Virginia, arrested Collins on a warrant for felonious assault.

“An extradition hearing will be held on Collins prior to him being returned to Lawrence County to face charges,” the release reads. "Additional charges will be filed on Collins as the investigation continues."

In a post on Facebook, South Point Local Schools Superintendent Chris Mathes said he was proud of how students and staff reacted during the situation.

"Our number one priority will always be our students’ safety," Mathes said. "May our community continue to support our students, teachers, and staff members. I will update as I’m able to share more information."

The district announced that schools would be closed Friday.