16-year-old boy died after an 18-year-old classmate who accused him of stealing his vaping device stabbed him in the neck with the scissors he took while searching his pockets; classmate arrested
Texas – In an unsettling incident in Texas, a 16-year-old boy, identified as A. Meismer, was fatally stabbed in the neck by an 18-year-old classmate, identified as A. Matthews, who believed he had stolen his vaping device. Matthews now faces a charge of murder in the death of Meismer, a fellow student at the high school they both attended. According to prosecutors, Matthews initiated the deadly confrontation after accusing Meismer of taking his vaping device. The attack occurred around 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, December 18, and has since ignited serious questions about school safety and disciplinary oversight.
Matthews has been charged with murder and is being held in county jail on a $3 million bond. Prosecutors allege that the stabbing was intentional and that Matthews used scissors he took while searching Meismer’s pockets—initially looking for the vaping device he believed the younger student had taken. Those scissors became the fatal weapon when Matthews stabbed Meismer in the neck during a second confrontation in a science classroom.
According to court testimony, the incident began when both students were excused from class to use the restroom. Surveillance footage and witness accounts show that Matthews followed Meismer there to confront him about the missing vaping device. After checking his pockets and not finding the device, Matthews allegedly took a pair of scissors he found on Meismer and tucked them into his waistband. The two returned to a classroom where the conflict escalated. Prosecutors say Matthews resumed searching Meismer’s pockets, and the altercation turned physical. A witness, another student, told investigators she heard Matthews accuse Meismer again and saw a struggle unfold. She then saw a lot of blood coming from Meismer’s body.
A teacher, alerted by a cry for help, rushed into the room to find Matthews holding Meismer in a chokehold. The teacher attempted to pull Matthews away but noticed blood pouring from the victim’s neck and body. Despite immediate emergency intervention, Meismer’s wounds were too severe. He was airlifted to a hospital but died shortly after arrival. In a Mirandized interview with police, Matthews admitted to stabbing Meismer, including striking him in the eye. He claimed self-defense, citing that Meismer was physically larger than him. Prosecutors, however, reject that explanation, pointing to surveillance evidence and witness statements suggesting the attack was not provoked in a way that would justify deadly force.
The tragedy has shaken the school community, where both students and teachers have rallied in protest since the stabbing, demanding accountability from school administrators. Many say the violence was foreseeable and preventable. Former teacher K. Luckett, who taught both boys, stated that Matthews had a long record of disciplinary problems, including multiple suspensions for violent behavior. “I went and had a meeting with [the superintendent’s] secretary and said things are out of control,” Luckett said in a local interview. “Mark my word, if we do not get a handle on it as admin, somebody is going to die.” She described Matthews’ history as “a rap sheet that’s a mile long,” and criticized the school district’s apparent failure to act decisively.
In response to the incident, the ISD released a brief statement confirming Matthews’ arrest but has declined further comment. Matthews’ defense attorney has indicated plans to review all surveillance footage before drawing any conclusions. Matthews is scheduled to appear in court again on January 7, 2026. Meanwhile, Meismer’s death has left classmates and loved ones devastated, sparking renewed concerns about school violence and how schools handle students with repeated behavioral issues. The district now faces rising pressure to explain how a high school dispute ended in the most irreversible way possible: with a young life lost to a senseless act of violence.
