Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton called upon all people of faith to be in prayer for the students and families of Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, where 21 students and one adult were stabbed as the school day began. Police said a 16-year-old sophomore was tackled and disarmed by an assistant principal and security guard and taken into custody.
The injured were taken to several area hospitals. At least four required surgery, among them a member of First United Methodist Church in Murrysville who was said to be among the most critically injured. On Saturday morning, April 12, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Greg Keener, 15, underwent his third surgery.
"His liver is regenerating itself already," Greg's father Rick Keener told the newspaper. "We're real pleased, real happy with his progress."
Keener also told the newspaper that the family was supported by the prayers of First UMC members and others.
"We've been getting prayers from all over the world," Keener said. "There's a military base in Afghanistan that's praying for him. It's been incredible."
The suspect, identified as Alex Hribal, 16, was arraigned before District Judge Charles Conway in Export, PA on four counts of attempted homicide, 21 counts of aggravated assault, and an additional count of possession of a prohibited weapon on school property. A request for bail was denied.