Looking at my high school years in hindsight, I’ve come to learn, it truly is like looking at it with 20/20 vision. In the grand scheme of life, all the frets and worries I had, the stress I put on myself and my friendships, couldn’t have been more trivial. But the truth is, that reality doesn’t matter much when you are in it. Teen brains are scientifically proven to be underdeveloped in the prefrontal cortex, which is really the “control center” for judgment, planning, and impulse control. So what they get upset over feels a lot more catastrophic to them than it would to an adult with a fully formed prefrontal cortex.
Still, even that explanation isn’t enough when it comes to the heartbreaking case of Andrew Meismer, 16, who was fatally stabbed with scissors by his “friend” Aundre Matthews, 18, over a simple $21 vape pen, according to People.
On December 17, 2025, teens Meismer and Matthews of Ross. S. Sterling High School in Texas began the day as they typically did: as good friends. Surveillance footage shows that the two were seen walking to a classroom together with seemingly zero tension, according to Click2Houston. The pair both reportedly asked the teacher to use the restroom at two separate times. While in the bathroom, an argument allegedly ensued about a THC vape pen, and Matthews accused Meismer of stealing it, per court records, according to ABC 13.
The pair then continued their “discussion” in a science lab a female student later entered. Click2Houston reported that the female student alleged that Matthews berated Meismer, saying he owed him $21 for the pen and eventually swung at him. She said the two began fighting when she saw Matthews choking Meismer and saw a large amount of blood coming from Meismer’s neck. She ran screaming for help. When a teacher arrived and finally pulled Matthews off of him, Meismer collapsed and was later declared dead at a hospital from repeated puncture wounds consistent with a pair of scissors.
Several students told ABC 13 that they were aware of Matthews having a long disciplinary history and that he was allowed to return to campus repeatedly.
Former teacher Kim Luckett told the outlet that she warned the district leadership last year that the behavior problems were only getting worse.
“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.”
Matthews is being held on a $3 million bond as he awaits his next court date on January 7, 2026.
A neighbor began a GoFundMe account for the Meismer family to help cover legal expenses. “As a neighbor, my heart breaks for the Meismer family, who are reeling from the sudden and violent loss of their loved one” Candi Repka wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “This is an unimaginable tragedy—one that has shaken not only their family but our entire community.”
