Santa Rosa schools settle 2023 fatal stabbing lawsuits for $6.25M

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) — Santa Rosa City Schools has agreed to pay a total of $6.25 million to settle lawsuits filed by the families of two students involved in a fatal stabbing at Montgomery High School three years ago.

The incident occurred in 2023, when 16-year-old Jayden Pienta was fatally stabbed by another student on campus.

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The teenage suspect was charged but later cleared after a judge ruled he acted in self-defense, finding Pienta was the aggressor.

Both families sued the district, alleging negligence.

“A big factor in this case was the school district’s prior knowledge about the issues between these two groups of kids, and that it could result in violence,” attorney Steven Clark said. “And they had a duty at that point to protect all of their students from this situation.”

The district confirmed it will pay $3.5 million to Pienta’s family and $2.75 million to the other student’s family.

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Officials said they have since implemented safety measures, including student safety advisers to help “prevent and de-escalate altercations on campus.”

School resource officers have also been approved but have not yet been deployed due to lack of funding.

The settlement avoids a trial over the claims.