Man charged in ex-girlfriend's stabbing at Pinecrest High School
A teenager accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend at Pinecrest High School in April is expected in court Monday.
Christopher Tarter, who recently turned 18, was transferred on Dec. 7 to the Moore County jail after being held for months in a juvenile facility.
Tarter is accused of stabbing another student, Avery Slatcher, multiple times on April 28 in the parking lot of Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines.
He is charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon on school property. Tarter is being held on a $2 million bond.
Slatcher was seriously injured in the attack. Her parents told WRAL News she is recovering.
When the stabbing occurred around 8:45 a.m. on a Friday in April, the school was placed on a modified lockdown.
Slatcher was flown to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where she spent time in the ICU with critical injuries.
The assault happened during first period near the auditorium. Other students said the two students were dating.
"There [were] issues between them in a relationship, and I guess he decided to take it a different way," said student Austin Frye.
Other students on campus are emotional about the stabbing, with some even saying they heard the girl screaming.
"He just came up and then stabbed her like five times in the stomach and one time in the hand," said student Margaret Remington.
According to police, students helped detain the suspect until he was taken into custody.
"The suspect attempted to flee," said Moore County School Police Chief Rodney Hardy. "Students began to restrict the movements of the person as he was trying to leave campus."
The modified lockdown was lifted and some parents rushed to pick up their children. This included Brittany Ladson, who went to pick up her daughter. Ladson's daughter said she heard the victim screaming for help after being stabbed in the parking lot.
"It just makes you feel bad when you send your kids to school thinking they're going to be safe and then these type things happen," Ladson said. "Thank God it wasn't worse, and I pray that the condition of the child [is] she's okay."
Principal Stefanie Phillips sent a message to parents, saying, "All students are accounted for and are safe. Students will remain in an extended first period as we lift the modified lockdown. Parents wishing to sign out their student may come to the front of building one. Students will be escorted to their parents after being signed out. Parent permission is required for student check-out.”
Matthew Slatcher, the victim's father, said family members will be in court Monday.
On May 26, he posted about his daughter's injuries on a GoFundMe, writing:
"She is up and walking on her own (for short durations), her pain is significantly better, and her appetite is returning. She still has a long road ahead to build back the strength in her leg and for all the clots and hematomas to dissipate, but each day we can see improvement."
