A Canadian high school student allegedly set another student on fire while in the school building. The 15-year-old girl reportedly received severe burns and was taken to an area hospital. The incident occurred around noon September 5 at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon. A school resource officer was on the scene and immediately arrested the 14-year-old suspect. It is unclear what prompted the horrific attack.
Saskatoon Police Service Sergeant Ken Kane addressed the media at a news conference on September 5 and said details in the case are limited. The victim is at a hospital with her parents, receiving treatment. A teacher who tried to put the fire out is also receiving treatment for injuries he sustained while trying to help. As Kane said during the new conference, "This is not something we ever expected."
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An officer was on site for an unrelated incident.
Kane said a resource officer happened to be on campus at Evan Hardy Collegiate when the fire broke out. He immediately stepped in and took the suspect into custody.
Saskatoon police and other emergency responders arrived a short time later, and the girl was taken to an area hospital with what were believed to be serious injuries. Kane said the girl's parents were with her but there was no update on her condition.
Kane called the incident shocking.
He never expected to receive a call about an intentional arsonist in a school, he said during the news conference. "The mood in our office is quite low,” he shared.
Police were working with the school to help students affected by the attack, and he wanted to "ensure staff and students are cared for." It is unclear thus far what charges the teenage girl might face.
There will be no classes on Friday.
Evan Hardy Collegiate canceled Friday classes and the weekend's football game. School officials released a statement about the attack to the CBC.
It reads, "At school we will continue to provide a safe, caring and compassionate learning environment. When school resumes, we will maintain daily schedules and routines as much as possible, as this provides a sense of safety, security and comfort. We will also have additional counselling support at the school to respond to students' needs."
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The girl may have used an accelerant to start the fire.
Curtis Rae Christopher Tweet posted on Facebook that his daughter attends Evan Hardy Collegiate, and the assailant allegedly poured gasoline on the victim before setting her on fire.
Tweet was appalled by what his daughter told him and shared his frustration in a Facebook post that reads in part, "This is absolute f—— bulls— and these kids are raised with no f—ing consequences. What does she get ? what two years and juvenile detention centre unreal."
A friend commented on the post, "A friend's daughter knew her. Said she had to be flown out of province for burn care. I hope the girl that did it, parents get in s— too."
