Maryvale High School stabbing suspect reportedly has been offered a plea deal

The Phoenix high school student accused of fatally stabbing a classmate last year reportedly has been offered a plea deal.

Chris Aguilar, now 17, was arrested on suspicion of killing 16-year-old Michael Montoya II in a knife attack in a Maryvale High School classroom on Aug. 19, 2025.

A week later, Aguilar was formally charged as an adult with one count of first-degree murder, which carries a potential sentence of life in prison.

Under Arizona law, juveniles ages 15 to 17 are prosecuted as adults if they are accused of certain violent crimes, including first- and second-degree murder.

During a hearing Wednesday, prosecutors offered a plea deal to reduce the charge against Aguilar to second-degree murder, with a prison sentence of 20 to 25 years, according to Phoenix TV station ABC15.

Montoya’s family appeared in court to push for a life sentence, the station reported.

According to court documents, the stabbing may have been payback for a gun theft.

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