County officials recently addressed the media regarding the troubling rise in teenage violence, just days after a student was fatally stabbed at a school in Western Phoenix.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, County Attorney Rachel Mitchell expressed concern about escalating incidents of violence among teens in the area, particularly highlighted by the stabbing death of a 16-year-old student at Maryvale High School.

Mitchell’s office is currently prosecuting 16-year-old Chris Daniel Aguilar, who has been charged with the murder of his classmate, Michael Montoya II.

Aguilar is facing second-degree murder charges in adult court, although Mitchell mentioned there is currently no indication of upgrading the charge to first-degree murder.

According to court documents, Aguilar and Montoya had a growing conflict leading up to the fatal incident.

Witnesses reported to police that Montoya had stolen a firearm from Aguilar the day before the stabbing—an action described as part of a “trade.” Classmates also stated that Aguilar and his brother had threatened Montoya shortly thereafter.

On the day of the attack, Aguilar allegedly sat next to Montoya in class and subsequently lunged at him with a knife.

The prosecutor noted in court that Aguilar was the aggressor, while Montoya was not in a position to defend himself.

Montoya succumbed to his injuries later on.

Emotions ran high as Montoya’s family heard the details in juvenile court, where Aguilar initially appeared before being transferred to adult court, currently held on a $500,000 bond.

Mitchell voiced concerns over increasing youth violence in the region and urged parents to intervene if they notice troubling behavior in their children.

“The government isn’t a substitute for parental guidance,” she stated. “Please recognize early warning signs. Seek help and resources for your children. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.”

Mitchell is in favor of rehabilitation efforts for youth but stressed the importance of addressing violent behaviors before they lead to more serious consequences.

She warned, “Don’t just ignore the signs.”

Republican county officials also expressed interest in reevaluating Arizona’s juvenile justice system.

Mitchell emphasized that while rehabilitation is essential, it needs to be effective and relevant to today’s youth. “We’ve got to improve how we handle these cases,” she remarked, suggesting that a more modern approach is necessary.

As the community mourns Montoya’s death, prosecutors are deliberating whether Aguilar’s actions could qualify as first-degree murder.

In light of these events, Mitchell announced that the East Valley Teen Safety Forum is scheduled for August 27th at the Chandler Public Safety Training Center from 6 to 8 PM.