Deputies detained a 12-year-old boy after he stabbed a 13-year-old friend with a pocket knife while they were walking home from Sierra Middle School in east Bakersfield.

Ray Pruitt with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office said it happened during a fight at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“We were investigating it as an assault with a deadly weapon, based on the evidence at the scene.” Pruitt said. “It appears the 12-year-old did stab the 13-year-old during the physical fight.”

Pruitt said he’s not sure if the 13-year-old will be charged.

“I don’t know if we ended up arresting that suspect or not,” Pruitt said. “We did have an identification on the suspect because he was known to the victim that was stabbed – they knew each other.”

The 13-year-old was hospitalized with minor injuries. The 12-year-old is being questioned.

– Anthony Pollreisz