A Form 3 local male student got into a dispute with a classmate - with whom he had a long-standing grudge – at a northern district school on Thursday morning, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokeswoman Lei Hon Nei said during a regular press conference on Friday.
According to Lei, both students involved are minors, and the suspect had transferred to the school earlier this month.
Lei added that the two students had previously fallen out over an online discussion about gaming strategies. At around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, the victim accidentally bumped into the suspect’s chair while passing his desk, prompting an argument that soon turned physical.
During the confrontation, the suspect took out an unsharpened butterfly knife with an 11-centimetre blade and struck the victim in the face. The victim also suffered scratches to his neck during the struggle, Lei said.
Teachers and fellow students intervened and brought the confrontation to an end. The school subsequently notified the PJ Youth Concern Section, while the injured student was taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged.
Under questioning, the suspect admitted he had bought the butterfly knife online for practising and performing tricks. He said he had used it at home that morning and inadvertently brought it to school after failing to put it away, Lei added.
He faces charges of ordinary bodily harm and unreasonable possession of a weapon.
Lei said the suspect would be referred, together with his parents, to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) for further investigation.
As the age of criminal responsibility in Macau is 16, minors under this threshold are exempt from criminal charges.
Instead, they can be ordered by the authorities to undergo non-penal correctional measures under the Educational Tutelage Regime for Young Offenders, such as mandatory counselling.
The Judiciary Police urged young people to handle conflict calmly and avoid using violence, while encouraging those facing bullying to seek help from parents, teachers, or other trusted individuals. For support, the public can contact the PJ Youth Concern Hotline on 8800 5500 for assistance.
