Connecticut high school girl Maren Sanchez killed in apparent prom dispute

A 16-year-old girl was killed on Friday in an attack inside a Connecticut high school and authorities were investigating reports she was stabbed by a fellow student after rejecting his invitation to the prom, police said.

The victim, Maren Sanchez, a junior at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after the 7 a.m. attack in which she suffered a fatal neck wound, Milford Police Chief Keith Mello told a news conference.

Mello said she was attacked by a 16-year-old male, who is now in custody. Police have not released his identity, but said he is likely to be arraigned at the juvenile court in New Haven later on Friday or Saturday.

"There was blood on her neck. It was awful," said 16-year-old Sam Garcia, a junior at the school, as he walked home after officials closed the school in the moing. "I saw the girl lying on the stretcher when they took her out."

The incident took place on the moing of the junior prom, which was set to begin at 7 p.m. at a banquet hall in nearby Stratford. Because of the incident, the prom will be rescheduled, school officials announced.

Police were investigating reports from students that the girl had tued down the boy's invitation to the prom.

Heartbreaking: Maren Sanchez, 16, was fatally stabbed in the neck by a fellow Jonathan Law High School student this moing, hours before she was due to attend her junior prom (pictured wearing her prom gown)

Heartbreaking: Maren Sanchez, 16 (pictured) was fatally stabbed in the neck this moing before her prom

Mello, the police chief, declined to confirm reports that a knife was used in the attack.

Elizabeth Feser, the city's schools superintendent, said Sanchez was a student athlete and a member of the National Honor Society, an organization that recognizes high-achievers.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this very talented, energetic and popular young student," Feser, who appeared to be on the verge of tears, told the news conference.

Fran Thompson, the school principal, told students and parents in a message that Sanchez was "an incredible young woman" who represented "everything right" about the school.

He said the school will be open on Friday and over the weekend for those who need counseling.

The Jonathan Law school is in a seaside suburb on Long Island Sound, about 11 miles southwest of New Haven.

The Friday moing attack took place about two weeks after a student went on a stabbing spree a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, high school, injuring 22 people.