Sep 9, 2025 By Mike Jones 3 min read

A “falling out” between cousins allegedly led to Sunday afternoon’s stabbing at a youth football game at Ringgold’s Joe Montana Stadium in Carroll Township.

A Ringgold School District police officer said he was helping to provide security at the game when he noticed a commotion in the stands about 1:30 p.m. and went to check on the situation, according to court documents.

A crowd had gathered around 19-year-old Brayden Ogletree, who had been stabbed and was lying on the bleachers as other emergency responders at the scene held a shirt over his wound trying to control the bleeding, police said.

The alleged assailant, 17-year-old Daron Carpenter, had been stopped at a nearby concession stand while he was trying to leave the stands and was being held there – apparently by bystanders – until police officers arrived, according to court documents.

A witness who is related to both Ogletree and Carpenter said the two cousins had a “recent falling out and were not getting along,” so it was suggested they go to the restroom to “handle their situation,” police wrote in court documents. But while they were walking down the steps, the witness told police the two teens began tussling as Carpenter turned around and punched Ogletree. At some point, Carpenter allegedly stabbed Ogletree in the stomach with a four-inch knife, police said.

“He poked me,” Ogletree told witnesses at the scene as he held his stomach, according to court documents.

Ogletree was later flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment, although his condition and the severity of his injuries were not released.

When Carpenter was stopped at the concession stand, he allegedly handed the knife to one of the football coaches, police said. While being questioned by police, Carpenter claimed he thought he was about to be attacked, according to court documents.

“I thought they were going to jump me,” Carpenter told the football coach, according to court documents. “I’m not running.”

Carpenter was arrested by Ringgold school police and arraigned Saturday night by District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and possessing a weapon on school property. He is jailed on $50,000 cash bond, although it’s not known where he is being held since he is a juvenile.

In response to the incident, Ringgold school officials decided to cancel classes for all schools in the district and offer counseling services to any students who needed support.

“We understand that this decision may cause an inconvenience for some of our families, and we appreciate your patience and flexibility,” Superintendent Randall Skrinjorich said in a written statement. “After careful consideration, we believe this is the least disruptive and most supportive option for our students and staff at this time. The safety and well-being of our school community remain our highest priorities.”

The youth football league is not affiliated with the school district, according to school officials.