‘There is no right way to feel after a trauma’: Psychologist on aftermath of a stabbing at Warren County middle school

WARRENTON, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Parents described fear and uncertainty after a stabbing at Black Hawk Middle School early Thursday, while a psychologist encouraged families to give children space to process their emotions.

“I’m instantly scared, shocked, my whole body went numb,” a parent named Toni said.

Toni described the scene outside the school.

“All these people I’m talking to, they’re crying, multiple moms are crying, I’m hugging them,” she said. “They’re scared, they don’t know if their student has been stabbed, they can’t get in contact with anybody — we saw a helicopter fly down and take someone — it’s just been awful, it’s a parent’s worst nightmare.”

Tim Bono, a psychologist and professor at Washington University, said the incident could affect students’ sense of safety at school.

“We can expect that there will be some element of trauma,” Bono said. “A place where they have previously had positive associations with the school, with the learning, with the environment — now they have an association of the school being a place where violence can happen, being a place where they might not feel as safe as they once did.”

Bono said connection is important and encouraged families to give children time and space to process their feelings.

“Let them know that feeling anxious or sad or angry or disappointed or even numb is completely normal because there is no right way to feel after a trauma,” he said.

Bono also recommended talking openly about the steps school administrators and law enforcement are taking to keep the community safe.

The district said it plans to resume classes Friday and will have additional counselors available for students and staff.