Three stabbed at school for autistic pupils

Victims in Torrance attack are staffers. Detained suspect is a former student.

- BY RUBEN VIVES AND NATHAN SOLIS

A Torrance school for autistic and neurodivergent children was reeling Monday after a former student walked onto campus and attacked staff members, stabbing three and allegedly leaving behind a bag full of potential explosives before running off, police said.

The attack occurred about 8:30 a.m. at Switzer Learning Center, a private school that serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade, and left two teachers hospitalized with stab wounds and a third staff member injured, officials said. The suspect allegedly tried to stab a fourth faculty member before he was detained by Torrance police.

During the attack, the former student allegedly said he had pipe bombs and appeared to leave them near 208th Street and Amapola Avenue as he was taken into custody, police said. Authorities cleared the area, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's bomb squad arrived and detonated two devices, officials said.