Aundre Matthews is an alleged teen killer from Texas who has been charged in the fatal stabbing of Andrew Meismer
According to police reports Andrew Meismer and Aundre Matthews (photo left) were in an argument over a stolen vape at Sterling High School in Baytown Texas when Aundre would grab a pair of scissors and fatally stab Andrew
Aundre Matthews was arrested and charged with murder
Aundre Matthews News
An 18-year-old Sterling High School student has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of a classmate this week.
Aundre Matthews was arrested early Wednesday afternoon and booked into the Baytown Municipal Jail, online jail records show. On Friday he appeared before a magistrate judge, who set his bond amount at $3 million while temporarily denying bail, pending a hearing scheduled for early January, Harris County court records show.
Multiple Houston-area news outlets, citing family members and classmates, have identified the victim as 16-year-old Andrew Meismer. Matthews is accused of stabbing him with scissors, according to a charging document filed in court.
Matthews’ court-appointed defense attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Goose Creek CISD, located east of Houston in the Baytown area, said in a statement Wednesday that a Sterling student died after a fight on campus.
“My heart is heavy as I join the community in grieving yesterday’s tragedy at Sterling High School,” Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Randal O’Brien said in a statement posted to the district’s website late Thursday afternoon. “We are mourning the loss of a student, and our deepest condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and all Sterling Rangers. There are no words that can fully meet a moment like this, but please know that the District and community stand with you.”
Sterling reopened Thursday, when a group of students reportedly protested outside the school. O’Brien said in his statement the district was providing “in-person support” to students and staff.
“Please know that Goose Creek CISD takes student behavior very seriously and works diligently to address concerns as they arise,” O’Brien also said in his statement. “At the same time, our responses to student misconduct are guided and, at times, limited by state and federal law. These laws exist to protect students and families, even when outcomes are difficult to understand in the aftermath of tragedy.”
Aundre Matthews More News
An 18-year-old student has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of a classmate during a fight at a high school near Houston, Texas, a tragedy that students and former staff say could have been prevented.
Aundre Matthews is accused in the death of Andrew Meismer, who was stabbed Wednesday at Sterling High School in Baytown, Texas after a confrontation between the two escalated during a science class, according to court records obtained by ABC13.
Investigators say the dispute began over a $21 vape pen Matthews said was missing and believe that Meismer took. Court records show the two students were excused from class to use the restroom, where they began fighting over the vape.
Prosecutors stated during an initial court appearance on Friday that during the altercation, Matthews searched Meismer’s pockets looking for the vape. While he did not find it, he did find a pair of scissors, which he placed in his waistband.
The students then entered a science lab. Prosecutors say that a teacher responded after hearing another student yell for help and found Matthews holding Meismer in a chokehold. The teacher attempted to intervene, but Meismer had already been stabbed multiple times with the scissors.
During Matthews’ first court appearance Friday, prosecutors alleged Matthews admitted to retrieving the scissors and stabbing Meismer, including in the eye. His bond was set at $3 million.
Meismer was flown to the hospital, where he later died.
In the days following the stabbing, students and teachers have rallied daily at Sterling High School, demanding accountability and justice. Many said the violence should never have reached this point.
“My best friend is dead. Somebody’s son is dead. Somebody’s boyfriend is dead,” said student Sariah Trevino.
Several students told ABC13 they were aware of Matthews having a lengthy disciplinary history, including previous violent incidents, yet said he was repeatedly allowed to return to campus.
Former teacher Kim Luckett, who worked at Goose Creek ISD for nearly a decade and had Meismer as a student, echoed those concerns. She said she warned district leadership last year that discipline problems were escalating.
“I went and had a meeting with (the superintendent’s) secretary and said things are out of control,” Luckett said. “Mark my word, if we do not get a handle on it as admin, somebody is going to die.”
Luckett said Matthews had been placed in in-school suspension numerous times and had multiple disciplinary incidents involving other students. She believes the district’s lack of response to questions from media and students is due to its inability to defend what she calls inaction. Luckett said she resigned months ago, citing safety concerns.
“Schools should be providing safe places for our children, and Goose Creek is not a safe place for our children right now,” she said.
Goose Creek ISD released a brief statement Friday confirming Matthews’ arrest and murder charge but continues to decline requests for further comment.
Matthews is next scheduled to appear in court on January 7th.
