By Tom Liddy
DNAinfo News Editor
UPPER WEST SIDE - A 12 year-old student at an Upper West Side middle school is under arrest for allegedly tossing a knife at another student during a playground scrum Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The violence unfolded after a shoving match on a basketball court at West Prep Academy on West 77th Street, near Columbus Avenue, at 1:19 p.m., according to education officials.
In addition to West Prep, the site houses PS 452, PS 330 and MS 44 and MS 245.
During the recess dustup, the 12 year-old flung a knife, which was over 4 inches long, at the victim, hitting him in the calf, an Education Department spokeswoman said.
"Two kids were play fighting and one got serious," said one student, who didn't want to be named. "One had a Swiss [Army] knife and the other kid got a gash."
The victim, also a seventh grader, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital with minor injuries.
The alleged knife-thrower was taken into custody and charged with reckless endangerment, according to Department of Education spokeswoman Marge Feinberg.
Disciplinary action against the suspect is pending.
There are no metal detectors at the school, Feinberg said.
A woman who answered the phone at West Prep said, "We have no comment."
