Suspects Denied Bail In Md. Stabbings

In the parking lot at Springbrook yesterday morning, an administrator distributed a letter to parents offering details about Friday's attack and information about additional security and counseling.

About 43 students were absent -- roughly double the normal number.

Administrators held two assemblies to talk to the 700-plus students taking classes at Springbrook this summer to discuss the incidents. A crisis team, including specially trained counselors, was also at the school.

By afternoon, the parking lot was crowded with more than the usual number of parents waiting to pick up students.

Oliver Riggs, security team leader at Springbrook, was standing at his usual spot yesterday, directing traffic. On Friday, he ran from his post toward the school, responding to a radio call about a disturbance. At first it looked like a fight.

As he pushed through the crowd, someone said, "Mr. Riggs, they're stabbed."

"At that point, everything changed," he said. He radioed for the two police officers who normally direct traffic nearby.

He recognized both victims as students at Springbrook. David Gamero had at least four wounds in the abdomen, chest, back and ear. There was blood everywhere.

"I started asking for T-shirts so we could put pressure on the wounds," he said. "Kids started pulling off their shirts and handing them to me."

Three girls stepped forward. One was an emergency medical technician, the others well-versed in first aid. They applied pressure to Gamero's wounds so Riggs could move on to the second victim, Juan Quito Jr.

Riggs could tell that Gamero was starting to go into shock.

"I tried to keep him as alert as possible. I kept talking to him, asking him questions. 'Who did this to you? What happened?' " He did the same with Quito.