Teacher defends 15-year-old girl stabbed at Porterville school

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 19-year-old man walked through an open gate Monday and stabbed a 15-year-old sitting in her classroom; police are now saying a teacher fought off the attacker.

Officers say 19-year-old Noah Seratte entered Monache High School and wandered the campus for approximately one hour. Seratte then chose a classroom, entered, and, according to police, stabbed a girl at random.

The 15-year-old was stabbed in her left leg and was taken to a nearby hospital. Investigators say the outcome could have been different had a teacher not fended off Seratte.

According to police, this is not the first time Seratte has had run-ins with the law; he was expelled from Monache High School last year after allegedly making criminal threats.

He is now being held without bail at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, South County Detention Facility, on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, as well as special allegations of criminal activity.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Porterville Police Department at 559-782-7400 or through their departmental Facebook or Instagram page.