Police received a phone call from a citizen who had discovered the body. The victim had sustained several stab wounds.

Police units and forensics officers arrived at the location to collect evidence.

Police spokesman Major Khaled Al-Galban said a 16-year-old student surrendered to police and confessed to his crime.

News of the killing shocked high school students and the school. Teachers said the victim was a good student. Police did not reveal the motive behind the murder.

Saad Al-Harthi, head of the education department in Tabuk, said his administration would launch an awareness campaign among students to tackle violence at schools.