UPDATE: CHARGES FILED IN WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL STABBING INVESTIGATION

Posted on March 25, 2026

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is providing an update regarding the stabbing that happened Tuesday morning at Walton Middle School in DeFuniak Springs.

"Press conference setting inside a sheriff’s office briefing room. Two individuals stand behind a wooden podium displaying a sheriff’s star emblem. Several cameras and media personnel are positioned in the foreground recording the event. The background features a large wall graphic of a sheriff’s office badge with the text ‘Sheriff’ and ‘Walton’ visible.

Before the start of school on March 24th, WCSO deputies and officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing on campus.

A School Resource Deputy was already on site and immediately responded and notified school staff. Minutes later, the juvenile suspect, identified as a 12-year-old Walton Middle School student, was detained a block from the school. A knife was found in a retention pond nearby.

Two students and one adult, a paraprofessional, were transported for injuries. The paraprofessional was treated and released. The students remain hospitalized at this time.

Press conference scene inside a sheriff’s office briefing room. Two individuals stand at a podium with the sheriff's star emblem on the front, surrounded by multiple video cameras and media personnel recording the event. A large display screen to the right shows the heading ‘Walton M… Incident Time…’ along with a warning symbol and partially visible text. The background wall features a large sheriff’s office insignia.

Walton County Fire Rescue provided immediate medical care to all three victims on scene. One patient was transported by AirHeart 2 to a local hospital, while the other two victims were transported by Walton County Fire Rescue via ambulance.

Following further investigation and a review of school surveillance footage, the suspect has been formally charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, wearing a mask during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and disrupting a school function.

The suspect is currently being held with no bond in secure juvenile detention in Crestview.

“This incident was brought under control within minutes due to the swift response of our School Resource Deputy, patrol deputies, and our partners at the DeFuniak Springs Police Department,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We remain committed to supporting the victims, their families, and the Walton Middle School community as this case moves forward.”

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to Walton County Fire Rescue, DeFuniak Springs Fire Department, DeFuniak Springs Police Department, AirHeart 2, and Walton County Emergency Management for their swift response and assistance on scene and at the reunification site.

This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.