Gulf High athlete stabbed during fight; girl arrested

NEW PORT RICHEY — A Gulf High sophomore and varsity football player was injured Thursday afternoon in a fight on campus.

Police say Jordan Lawson, 16, received a stab wound from a screwdriver in his back that barely broke the skin.

Later Thursday evening, police arrested a 15-year-old girl on one count of aggravated assault. The girl is also a student at Gulf High, but police withheld her name because of her age.

Authorities say the girl denied being involved, but witnesses identified her as the attacker.

New Port Richey Sgt. William Barrus said more than 100 kids had gathered when officers responded to the fight. Barrus said witnesses told them a car full of teenagers pulled up shortly before 5 p.m. outside the football stadium and the fight erupted. It was unclear what sparked the melee.

After Lawson was stabbed, his attacker fled in a gold car.

Students hanging around in front of the football stadium spotted the screwdriver and alerted officers. It was a small black Phillips-head, Barrus said.

Lawson is a 6-foot, 210-pound defensive lineman for Gulf High. He has played in all three games this season, averaging 6.7 tackles per game.

Head coach Jay Fulmer said he wants whoever attacked his player to be prosecuted. Lawson, who was treated at Community Hospital, was expected to be okay but Fulmer said he doesn't know if his player will be ready for tonight's home game against Wiregrass Ranch.

Times staff writer Izzy Gould and correspondent Andy Villamarzo contributed to this report.