Wed Oct 08 13:00:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Killeen Father Sues KISD and Evolv Technologies Over Daughter’s Fatal Stabbing**

**KILLEEN, TX (October 26, 2023)** – Thadius Baker, the father of Serenity Baker, the 14-year-old Roy J. Smith Middle School student fatally stabbed in March, has filed a lawsuit against the Killeen Independent School District (KISD) and Evolv Technologies, the company that provides weapons detection systems to the district.

The lawsuit, filed in Bell County on September 16th, alleges negligence on the part of KISD in providing adequate campus security and claims that Evolv Technologies’ weapons detection system was defective and misrepresented. Notably, the Evolv system was not in operation at Smith Middle School on the day of the stabbing, according to school officials.

The lawsuit also asserts that Evolv falsely advertised its product as a reliable deterrent against weapons, despite its history of detection failures, which has also led to action from the Federal Trade Commission.

According to the suit, Serenity Baker was fatally stabbed by another student with a 3.5-inch blade. The lawsuit states that no school staff or personnel were present to provide immediate aid. Instead, another student attempted to help, but Serenity bled out in the school hallway and died.

Further claims in the lawsuit state that KISD was aware of bullying and disputes involving the perpetrator before the stabbing but failed to take appropriate action, despite having a “bully report system.”

The lawsuit accuses KISD of violating Serenity Baker’s constitutional rights by failing to protect against foreseeable violence, operating with a non-functioning weapons detection system, ignoring risks of bullying and violence, and failing to render timely aid.

Thadius Baker is seeking a trial by jury and demanding damages from both Evolv and KISD on behalf of his daughter’s estate. The suit seeks compensation for the conscious pain, suffering, mental anguish, and medical expenses Serenity endured before her death.

KDH News reached out to Baker’s attorney for comment but did not receive a response. KISD spokeswoman Karen Rudolph stated that she was unaware of the lawsuit and unable to comment at this time.

**###**

Read More