Chester County District Attorney: 'This Must End'

WEST CHESTER— Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan Wednesday vowed to prosecute a 16-year accused of stabbing another 16-year-old in a high school bathroom to the fullest extent of the law.

“We will not tolerate school violence,” Ryan said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s our duty - and society’s duty - to protect the children, especially when they are in school.

“Yesterday was a horrific day for students and their families,” Ryan continued. “This must end, and it must end now.”

Investigators said Oddell Cannon repeatedly stabbed another 16-year-old, whose name was not disclosed, during a 7:30 a.m. fight in a bathroom at the Coatesville Area Senior High School.

Cannon of Coatesville is Chester County Youth Center here in lieu of $750,000 cash on attempted murder of the first degree, possessing a weapon and related charges.

Ryan said Cannon will be prosecuted in adult court. The first-degree attempted murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Ryan noted that several hours after the Coatesville stabbing another young man wreaked horror in a Texas school.

Salvador Ramos, 18, opened fire in Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, killing 19 children and two adults, police said. Ramos was then shot and killed by police.

“Parents should never have to worry when they send their children to school,” Ryan said. "Children should feel safe while inside school walls.”

The Coatesville case

According to court records:

At 7:25 a.m. Tuesday, Caln Township police responded to a report of a stabbing at the Coatesville Area High School.

Police found a 16-year-old victim in a blood-spattered school bathroom. The victim was taken to Paoli Hospital where he is being treated for multiple stab wounds.

One witness told police the victim was mad because the suspect had stolen a vape cigarette cartridge from him.

Another witness said he heard the victim say, “Bro. He stabbed me.”

A knife covered in blood was recovered at the scene.

A video of the fight was posted on social media, and the suspect is viewed stabbing the victim with an item in his right hand.

Cannon ran from the scene and later turned himself in to Caln Township police.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Caln Township Detective Steven Parkinson at 610-383-1821.