High School Student, 16, Fatally Stabbed with Scissors Over a $21 Vape Pen: Prosecutors

A Texas high school senior is accused of fatally stabbing a younger classmate with scissors during a dispute over a vape pen that prosecutors say was worth about $21.

Aundre Lebron Demond Matthews, 18, of Baytown, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 17, and charged with murder in connection with the death of Andrew Meismer, 16, according to the criminal complaint obtained by the publication. He is being held on a $3 million bond and is expected back in court on Jan. 7, according to online court records.

Police were called to Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown at 10:42 a.m. on Dec. 17 after receiving a report of an aggravated assault, Baytown Police said.

During a court hearing on Friday, Dec. 19, prosecutors outlined what they allege happened before the stabbing.

Surveillance video shows Matthews and Meismer—described as friends—walking into a classroom together around 10:30 a.m., appearing cordial, prosecutors said, Click2Houston reports.

According to prosecutors, Meismer, a sophomore, asked a teacher to go to the restroom, followed by Matthews, a senior, who also requested permission to leave the room, KHOU reports.

In the bathroom, the two allegedly argued about a THC vape pen Matthews believed Meismer had taken, prosecutors said, ABC 13 reports.

Matthews told officers he followed Meismer into the bathroom, searched him for the vape pen, and discovered a pair of scissors—then took them and placed them in his own waistband, prosecutors allege, KHOU reports.

Prosecutors say the students then left the bathroom and entered an empty lab classroom, where a female student overheard Matthews accuse Meismer of stealing the vape pen, Click2Houston reports. Matthews allegedly told Meismer he owed him about $21 for it.

The female student told investigators she saw Matthews strike Meismer before the two began fighting, prosecutors allege, Click2Houston reports.

Matthews, prosecutors say, told police Meismer shoved him away when he tried to search him again, sparking another fight, Click2Houston reports. Matthews also claimed Meismer punched him in the head twice, prosecutors allege.

Fearing he was about to be beaten by someone he believed was larger than him, Matthews allegedly told police he grabbed the scissors and stabbed Meismer, prosecutors said.

Soon after, the female student saw significant blood coming from Meismer’s neck, prosecutors allege, Click2Houston reports.

When the student yelled for help, a teacher ran into the lab classroom, saw Matthews holding Meismer around the neck, and tried to pull him away, prosecutors allege, Click2Houston reports.

Meismer was flown to a hospital and later pronounced dead, according to ABC 13. Authorities said he died from a puncture wound to the neck.

At the hearing, Matthews’s court-appointed attorney, Gianpaolo Macerola, asked the judge to set bond at $500,000, arguing Matthews has no prior criminal record, KHOU reports.

Meismer’s death rocked the school community. His girlfriend, Ikelle Fevrier, described him as well-liked among classmates, KHOU reports. “He had deep connections with everyone and I’m trying not to only think of myself right now and also support everyone who loved him,” she said.

Matthews’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.