MADERA - A Thomas Jefferson Junior High School student won't be attending school any time soon. The seventh grade student, who attended John Adams Elementary School last year, was arrested on the middle school campus Tuesday for allegedly brandishing a knife at a third grader.

The alleged attack is said to have happened after school Friday near the Jefferson campus. The victim is a male student currently attending John Adams which is located just a few blocks west of the junior high school. The suspect is a thirteen-year old Hispanic male.

According to reports, the third grader witnessed the seventh grader smoking a cigarette near the Thomas Jefferson campus. The seventh grader then allegedly  threatened the younger student with a knife if he told anyone about the incident. It is thought that the suspect had the weapon on his person during the school day.

Madera Police Detective Sergeant Robert Salas said the school resource officer reported to him that steps are being take to discipline the seventh grader within the school. He was also booked on misdemeanor charges of brandishing a weapon. When asked about the incident, John Adams principal Melissa Murray was unaware that it had taken place. Thomas Jefferson principal Jesse Carrasco was unavailable for comment this morning.

The suspect was booked in the Madera County Juvenile Hall and has been removed from the school during the investigation. At this time neither the school nor police have indicated there was any previous relationship between the suspect and victim.

The identity of both students is known, but Big Valley News will not be releasing their names due to their ages.