The fatal stabbing of a student inside a Baytown, Texas high school has shaken the Sterling High School community and raised urgent questions about school safety, disciplinary practices, and administrative accountability. An altercation between two classmates during a science class on campus escalated into deadly violence, leaving one student dead and another facing a murder charge at just 18 years old.
In the days since the incident, students, teachers, and former staff have spoken out, alleging the tragedy was not only foreseeable but preventable, given what they describe as a pattern of unresolved disciplinary issues and ignored warnings within the school district. As the legal case moves forward, the incident has become a focal point for broader concerns about how schools handle repeated behavioral problems and ensure the safety of students and staff.
The Confrontation That Turned Fatal
According to court records obtained by ABC13, Aundre Matthews has been charged with murder in the death of Andrew Meismer, a fellow student at Sterling High School in Baytown, which is part of the Goose Creek Independent School District near Houston. The stabbing occurred Wednesday during what initially appeared to be a dispute between the two students during a science class.
Investigators say the conflict began over a missing vape pen valued at $21. Matthews reportedly believed Meismer had taken the device. Court documents indicate that both students were excused from class to use the restroom, where the disagreement escalated into a physical fight. Authorities believe the confrontation centered on the vape pen, with tensions intensifying during the encounter.
Prosecutors stated during Aundre Matthews’ initial court appearance that while the students were in the restroom, Matthews searched Meismer’s pockets in an attempt to recover the vape pen. Although the vape was not found, Matthews allegedly discovered a pair of scissors on Meismer. Prosecutors said Matthews then placed the scissors into his waistband before the two students returned to a science laboratory.
Once inside the classroom, the situation quickly deteriorated. According to prosecutors, a teacher responded after hearing another student shout for help. When the teacher arrived, Aundre Matthews was allegedly holding Meismer in a chokehold. Despite the teacher’s attempt to intervene, the situation had already turned deadly. Court records state that Meismer had been stabbed multiple times with the scissors before help arrived.
The details of this black-on-White Houston-area School murder story are sickening.
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 20, 2025
18yo Junior Aundre Matthews put 16yo Andrew Meismer in a headlock and stabbed him repeatedly in the neck with scissors.
Why? He thought Andrew took his $20 vape.
No coverage from national media. pic.twitter.com/IoGSIBU6Hk
During his first court appearance on Friday, prosecutors alleged that Matthews admitted to retrieving the scissors and stabbing Meismer, including delivering a stab wound to his eye. Emergency responders transported Meismer by helicopter to a hospital, but he later died from his injuries. Aundre Matthews’ bond was set at $3 million, reflecting the severity of the charge and the circumstances described by prosecutors. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 7.
Community Grief and Growing Demands for Accountability
In the aftermath of the stabbing, Sterling High School has become the center of grief and protest. Students and teachers have reportedly rallied daily on campus, calling for accountability and justice, while mourning the loss of a classmate. Many participants have expressed the belief that the violence should never have escalated to a fatal level and that warning signs had been present long before the incident.
Students who spoke with ABC13 described a school environment where concerns about safety had become increasingly common. Some said they were aware of Aundre Matthews having a lengthy disciplinary history that included previous violent incidents. According to these students, Matthews was repeatedly allowed to return to campus despite those issues, a decision they now question in light of Meismer’s death.
One student, Sariah Trevino, spoke emotionally about the loss, emphasizing the human impact beyond headlines and court documents. She described Meismer not just as a student, but as a best friend, a son, and a boyfriend, underscoring the profound ripple effects of the violence on families and peers. Her comments echoed a broader sentiment among students that the school community had failed to protect one of its own.
Former staff members have also voiced concerns. Kim Luckett, a former teacher who worked in Goose Creek ISD for nearly ten years and had taught Meismer, said she had warned district leadership about escalating discipline problems well before the stabbing occurred. Luckett stated that she raised her concerns during a meeting with the superintendent’s secretary the previous year, warning that conditions were deteriorating and that serious consequences were inevitable if action was not taken.
Luckett recalled telling administrators that the situation was becoming dangerous and that without stronger intervention, someone could be seriously hurt or killed. She said Matthews had been placed in in-school suspension numerous times and had been involved in multiple disciplinary incidents with other students. In her view, the repeated reliance on limited disciplinary measures failed to address the underlying issues or protect the broader student body.
Luckett ultimately resigned from her position months before the stabbing, citing concerns for safety. She has since publicly criticized the district’s handling of disciplinary issues and its limited communication following the incident. According to Luckett, the district’s reluctance to respond to questions from media and students stems from an inability to justify what she describes as inaction in the face of mounting warning signs.
District Response, Legal Proceedings, and Unanswered Questions
Goose Creek ISD released a brief statement on Friday confirming Matthews’ arrest and the murder charge but has declined to provide further comment despite multiple requests. The limited response has drawn criticism from students, parents, and former staff who are seeking transparency about how disciplinary decisions were made and whether existing policies were sufficient to prevent violence.
The case has highlighted persistent tensions between maintaining student access to education and ensuring campus safety. While school districts often face legal and ethical constraints when disciplining students, particularly minors, critics argue that repeated incidents involving violence should trigger stronger interventions, alternative placements, or additional safeguards.
As the legal process unfolds, Matthews faces the possibility of severe penalties if convicted. Being charged with murder at 18 places him at the threshold between juvenile and adult accountability, a factor that will likely influence both legal arguments and public debate. Prosecutors have already emphasized the alleged admission and the sequence of events leading to Meismer’s death, while defense attorneys have yet to publicly outline their strategy.
For the Sterling High School community, the tragedy has left lasting scars. Students continue to attend classes in the same building where the stabbing occurred, while grappling with fear, grief, and anger. Teachers and staff are navigating their roles amid heightened scrutiny and emotional strain, while parents are questioning whether their children are truly safe at school.
The death of Andrew Meismer has become more than a single criminal case; it has evolved into a broader reckoning over school discipline, administrative responsibility, and the limits of existing safety measures. With Matthews’ next court appearance scheduled for January 7, the legal system will determine individual accountability, but many in the community argue that systemic questions remain unanswered.