Man held in stabbing of Berkeley school principal

BERKELEY (KTVU) -- Police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of stabbing a principal at Via Center, a private Berkeley school Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as Angel Juarez, was spotted by the California Highway Patrol near Buchanan Street and Interstate Highway 880 in Albany, police said.

After witnesses positively identified Juarez as the stabbing suspect, police detained him before booking him into the Berkeley jail.

The incident began at 1:46 p.m., when officers received a report of a stabbing at Via Center, a private, special education school located at 2126 Sixth St., according to police. The non-profit school is said to cater to students who have developmental challenges.

The principal was rushed for medical treatment to a local hospital. The extent of her injuries was not immediately released. Her condition and identity were also pending.

After the alleged stabbing, Juarez fled the scene and was last seen running west on University Avenue, over the Interstate Highway 880 overpass.

Because Juarez was allegedly carrying a large knife and was considered dangerous, police had asked residents in the area to shelter in place. The shelter in place advisory has since been lifted, police said.

KTVU reporter Henry Lee contributed to this report.