Teacher, school staff and first responders honored after Monache High School stabbing; suspect arrested

Porterville city leaders on June 3 publicly recognized school staff and first responders for their response to a May 19 attack at Monache High School that left a student injured.

The Porterville Police Department said officers responded minutes after the attack and located a suspect matching the school staff’s description walking near Henderson and Prospect Street. Officers took the suspect into custody after an encounter in which the suspect made verbal threats, the department said. Detectives continued the investigation and submitted materials to the district attorney for prosecution.

The council and the Porterville Police Department credited Monache teacher Robert Sundry for intervening in the classroom. During a presentation to the council the city described Sundry’s action — grabbing a chair and confronting the attacker — as preventing further injuries. The city presented Sundry with a lifesaving plaque.

Assistant City Manager Knight and Police Chief Costello invited police, fire and ambulance personnel to the dais and read a roster of officers and firefighters involved in the response. The city also presented certificates of appreciation to school administrators, campus supervisors and nurses who rendered first aid and helped secure the campus.

A member of the Rodriguez family, whose relative was the injured student, spoke to the council during the recognition. “I’m not really sure exactly what to say. This is new to me and hopefully never happens again,” a family member said, and praised the school staff and first responders for their professionalism and follow-up support. The family told the council the police remained in contact through the subsequent days to explain the prosecution process.

Council members praised the coordinated response and noted that school preparedness, drills and first-responder training helped limit further harm. Councilman Beltran, Councilman Green, Councilman Rivas and Vice Mayor McCurvey all offered remarks thanking the responders and school staff.

No new operational actions or policy changes were announced at the meeting; the council’s presentation was an acknowledgment and public recognition of those involved in the incident.

The city said the police detectives’ investigation was ongoing and that the district attorney would review the submitted case materials for potential charges.