N.C. Teen, 16, Was ‘Accidentally’ Stabbed to Death During Fight Over THC Pen — and Authorities Say They Won’t File Charges

The family of a teenager who was stabbed to death during a fight with another high school student says it plans to seek legal counsel after local officials said they’ll decline to press charges against the student who survived the fight.

The incident happened Tuesday morning at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. after Cameron Graham, 16, got into a fight with an 18-year-old student, according to reports from local ABC 45, Fox 8, and WFMY. Graham had brought a knife to school that day, the outlets reported.

The fight broke out in a school bathroom on Tuesday morning after the two teenagers allegedly got into an argument over a THC pen, according to ABC 45. The two students allegedly tussled on the ground and both had hands on the knife during the struggle — until the 18 year old gained control of the weapon and stabbed Graham through his sternum and into his heart, according to the outlet.

Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said at a press conference Thursday that the two students “were friends” and “knew each other very well.”

“I can tell you that he cried and cried when he learned his friend was dead,” O’Neill told reporters. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough also alleged that when he arrived at the scene, he found the 18 year old “crying and wailing at what he had done” while Graham was “struggling for his life” with school staff, administrators and other students gathered around.

O’Neill alleged that the 18-year-old also “tried to render aid” after stabbing Graham and “tried to pack the wound and keep pressure on it” until first responders arrived, according to Fox 8.

“There’s not a shred of evidence to suggest that this was anything more than an accident,” the district attorney said, adding that no charges would be filed against the 18-year-old student.

But while O’Neill claimed at his press conference that “we have no enemy to punish here,” Graham’s family has since spoken out demanding justice.

Graham’s aunt, Charlita Summers, said in a statement to WXII that the family would be “seeking legal counsel in assist with this investigation” following the Sheriff’s decision.

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Summers told WXII that Graham was a “good boy who loved sports, people, and was a beacon of light in his community.” 

The family has since launched a GoFundMe to raise money for the family in the wake of his death. “Cameron was a very smart, outgoing, loving, funny, and caring person,” the family said in its fundraiser. “He was loved by his family, friends, teachers, and fellow students.”