Youth Stabbed Outside Torrance School

A 16-year-old Inglewood High School student was stabbed outside a Torrance vocational center early this week during a dispute with several other youths.

The boy, whose name was not released by police or the school, was attacked as he left class Monday night and walked into the parking lot at the Southern California Regional Occupational Center.

Four or five youths, who apparently were not enrolled as students at the center, argued with the boy briefly before one suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the back, police said.

The center’s medical emergency instructor cared for the boy until paramedics took him to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he was treated, said Center Superintendent Elizabeth Nash.

Nash, who has been a staff member for 16 years, said the stabbing is the first violent incident in the 21-year history of the center.

On-campus security has been doubled from three guards to six, Nash said, and all entrances and exits will be staffed during school hours. In addition, the center’s 3,200 students will be required to wear identification badges.

“We’ve never had this kind of trouble before,” she said. “We want our students to know that they are safe here.”

Police Sgt. Ron Traber said detectives are investigating reports that the assailant may have been a Lennox gang member.