Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero told reporters at a news conference that two minors were taken to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune with injuries, and one later died.
He said that the attack at Northside High School in Jacksonville appeared to be a stabbing but that the investigation was ongoing.
A teacher was also injured but not stabbed and received onsite medical treatment, he said.
There is no ongoing threat to the public.
The chief said a school resource officer responded within about 20 seconds of receiving word of the attack about 7am and a student suspect was taken into custody.
The attack happened inside the school in a common area, and many students witnessed the attack, the police chief said.
He declined to release names.
A lockdown lasted until 8.45am, after which the school began a dismissal process to release students to their parents.
Barry Collins, superintendent of Onslow County Schools, said the district had expanded security in the last year with the addition of a school resource officer at every school and two at some larger high schools like Northside.
The school recently added security cameras and swipe-in door locks, he said, but will look into further safety measures in the coming weeks.
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