BILLINGS — The case involving a January stabbing at Billings Senior High School has been transferred to the Billings city attorney’s office for an independent review after a nine-month investigation, with no felony charges to be brought by the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office.
City Attorney Gina Dahl confirmed the transfer to MTN, saying in an email that her office is reviewing the matter independently.
“Our office is currently conducting its independent review of the matter,” Dahl said. “We take our prosecutorial responsibilities seriously and are committed to ensuring that any determination is made thoughtfully, fairly, and in accordance with our legal and ethical obligations.”
Related: After months of questions, prosecutors near decision in Billings Senior stabbing case
The stabbing occurred Jan. 13, 2026, after school and involved a teacher and a student, according to Billings Public Schools Superintendent Erwin Garcia. The school district reported the incident to police and cooperated with investigators. In an initial statement, the district said a teacher had been stabbed, a statement that was never corroborated by police.
The stabbing took place after school hours while a wrestling meet was taking place. The incident happened on the third floor and forced the school to evacuate during the meet.
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In a statement to media outlets, Garcia expressed frustration that no felony charges would be brought, saying the incident had been painful for the community, particularly teachers and students.
“The absence of formal felony charges does not ease the pain or provide the clear resolution our community needs,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the district will conduct its own investigation now that law enforcement’s work is complete. The district plans to seek access to additional information, including criminal justice records, through the court.
The student involved has met graduation requirements and is no longer enrolled in the district, Garcia said. The teacher was placed on paid administrative leave when the incident was reported and remains on leave.
"Throughout this time, I saw teachers and students in tears while our counselors and Crisis Team supported them in the aftermath of this event," Garcia wrote. "At Senior High, we have reduced the number of accessible entrances during the school day and provided access cards to police officers for quick response during critical incidents. We have enhanced our radio communication systems and also applied for grants to improve visual notification systems."
Lance Edward, president of the Billings Education Association, said in a lengthy written statement that the union continues to support the teacher, who was identified as Jason Rader, and is unaware of wrongdoing on his part.
"The precedent this sets for educators everywhere concerns us a great deal. The ramifications and downstream effects go far beyond this one instance and we intend to make our position on the County Attorney's decision widely known," Edward wrote.
City attorneys generally prosecute municipal ordinance violations and state-law misdemeanors within city limits, while county attorneys handle felony and misdemeanor cases under state law. The city attorney’s review will determine what action, if any, may follow.
Read Garcia's full statement below:
"I learned today through a media outlet that the Billings Police Department and the County Attorney’s Office completed their nine-month investigation into an after-school stabbing incident at Senior High on January 13, 2026, involving a teacher and a student. Like many in our community, I am frustrated to learn that no felony criminal charges will be brought as a result of this incident. This case has been painful for our community and especially for our teachers and students. I recognize that the absence of formal felony charges does not ease the pain or provide the clear resolution our community needs.
The school district reported the incident to police immediately. The school district also cooperated fully with investigators and the County Attorney’s Office while respecting the privacy of the parties involved. Throughout this time, I saw teachers and students in tears while our counselors and Crisis Team supported them in the aftermath of this event.
At Senior High, we have reduced the number of accessible entrances during the school day and provided access cards to police officers for quick response during critical incidents. We have enhanced our radio communication systems and also applied for grants to improve visual notification systems.
The student has met graduation requirements and is no longer a student in the school district. The teacher was placed on paid administrative leave when the report was made, as required by Montana law, and remains on leave.
Now that law enforcement’s work is complete, and no felony charges may be brought by the County Attorney’s Office, the school district will complete its own investigation using any information the school district can gain access to, including requesting criminal justice information. We will ask the court to grant that access as quickly as possible.
I respect the work law enforcement and the County Attorney’s Office have done. In the days ahead, our priority will be the teachers, staff, and students who have carried the weight of this event."
Read Edward's full statement below:
"This afternoon the BEA learned there will be no felony charges sought in the Senior High stabbing incident last January.
Let me be clear: if a student intends to harm staff there need to be serious consequences, and we are beyond frustrated that no felony charges will be brought forward by the county attorney's office.
As we do with all of our member educators, we have supported the teacher involved at every turn during these past nine months. The teacher involved has an impeccable professional reputation and we are unaware of any wrongdoing on his part. In coordination with MFPE we will continue to do everything we can to represent and support that teacher.
The precedent this sets for educators everywhere concerns us a great deal. The ramifications and downstream effects go far beyond this one instance and we intend to make our position on the County Attorney's decision widely known.
Teachers, like all employees, need to know in today's teaching climate that they can go to work, do their jobs, and perform their duties in a safe environment. They deserve to be free from worry that students or others will bring weapons into schools. And unequivocally, they need to be able to defend themselves and their students if situations like this one should ever arise.
We look forward to and support the teacher's return to the classroom if that is what he chooses to do.
We will never stop working toward safe and positive working conditions for the staff of Billings Public Schools."
Related:
Witnesses recount 'scary' scene inside Billings Senior after stabbing
Billings police finish investigation into Senior High stabbing, forward documents to prosecutors
Teacher, student suffer stab wounds during altercation at Billings Senior High School
