Girl dead, young man in custody after attack in classroom at Edmonton-area school

Police said a 19-year-old man, who was a student at the same school, was taken into custody about two hours later at another location.

Insp. Dale Kendall said the two students were known to each other, but she wouldn’t say if it’s believed that the attack was targeted. She also won’t confirm if the girl was stabbed.

“This is a true tragedy. It is incomprehensible that an act such as this could happen here in our close-knit community of Leduc,” she told a news conference Monday.

“This is life-altering for the family and friends of the deceased, the youth and staff at Christ the King and for our entire community.

“If there ever is a time to support your neighbours and hug your loved ones, this is it.”

The school’s police resource officer was not present at the time of the attack, Kendall added.

Major crimes investigators were taking control of the case and officers were not looking for more suspects.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a statement that she was heartbroken to hear of a tragedy on school grounds. She said mental health supports would be available.

The Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic School Division said there would be no classes at the school on Tuesday and a trauma support team would there for the rest of the week.

“We cannot express deeply enough the sorrow we feel for the family members, friends and staff members who have lost a loved one today,” the division’s superintendent, Charlie Bouchard, said in a release.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Girl dead, young man in custody after attack in classroom at Edmonton-area school

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