SASKATOON - A 14-year-old female youth is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and arson after a 15-year-old female Evan Hardy Collegiate student was lit on fire on Sept. 5.
The accused teen appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Sept. 6.
The Serious Assault Unit continues its investigation, assisted by the School Resource Unit and the Forensic Identification Section. The victim is believed to be in serious condition.
Unconfirmed reports said the incident happened inside the classroom during lunch break. The suspect allegedly used a water bottle to sneak in gasoline that she used to attack the victim. The suspect reportedly poured gasoline on the victim and then set her on fire.
One of the victim's friends reportedly witnessed the incident, pulled the fire alarm, and called the attention of one of the teaching staff. Chaos followed, with students heard screaming and seen running away from the scene.
The staff member immediately intervened and tried to extinguish the fire. A constable from the Saskatoon Police Service's School Resource Unit was at Evan Hardy on a different matter when the incident happened and managed to apprehend the suspect.
Someone had already called 911 about the fire incident, and an injury was reported at 12:18 p.m. The SRU officer responded to the call and took the 14-year-old female into custody while Saskatoon Fire Department crews and paramedics tended to the victim.
In a media briefing at the SPS headquarters, SRU supervisor Sgt. Ken Kane said they are in the initial investigation stage, with the scene being secured and turned over to the SPS Serious Assault Unit.
"This investigation is very early, and it is ongoing, so the information I'm providing today will be very preliminary, and there is a chance that some of it will be subject to change as evidence is gathered and analyzed," said Kane.
"They [SAU] are now in charge of gathering and analyzing the evidence. At this point, the [SPS] are working with the Saskatoon Public School Board of Education to ensure that we share information and that the staff and students are also cared for regarding the protocols the school board has set for traumatic events."
There were no updates provided on the status of the victim after paramedics transported her to the Royal University Hospital for further treatment.
Kane added that the teacher who helped extinguish the fire was treated for minor injuries, while no other students or school staff were reportedly hurt. The victim's parents were already at the hospital, and the suspect's caregivers were also informed of the situation.
Classes were suspended for the rest of the day as part of their efforts to give the students space to heal and provide mental and emotional health support. The school was open on Friday for students and staff to access counselling services.
Saskatoon Education Director Shane Skjerven said counselling services will continue on Monday for students and staff. School staff will return on Monday to prepare for the resumption of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Skjerven, the Board of Education's chief administrative and executive officer, said the School Division will continue to assist the Evan Hardy Collegiate community after the violent incident.
Skjerven issued a brief message on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Saskatoon Public School Board office downtown, stating everyone's safety—teachers, school staff, students, and parents—is always their top priority.
"The past 24 hours have been very challenging for the Evan Hardy school community; the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority," said Skjerven, who declined to answer questions from the local media due to the ongoing investigation.
"Our hearts go out to the victims and the entire school community as we face this difficult time. We recognize the seriousness of this incident and understand the strong emotions it has stirred throughout the entire school and our community."
Skjerven thanked Evan Hardy's school staff, the Saskatoon Police Service, the Saskatoon Fire Department, and Medavie Health Services for their quick response and assistance on Thursday at the scene.
"In our communication to families today, we also provided information about additional counselling support and resources that can be accessed over the weekend through our community partners," he said.
"We are grateful to have these community partners in our city. We will continue to update students and families as they become available. Once again, our hearts go out to the victims and the entire Evan Hardy school community."
Kane said his unit works collaboratively with the school board. The immediate protocol after an incident is for the police to lock down the general area where it occurred until officers are done with their investigation. The school board's protocols regarding how they will deal with the staff, the students, and the parents who attend that school will then be followed.
"One of my concerns [is the officer] because the officer was there on scene immediately. We have protocols for these that are implemented right now to ensure that we look after their mental well-being because this is not another day at the office. The mood at the office is quite low, and there are some upset people because this is not something we ever expected or could prepare for," said Kane.
"I don't know fully what the investigation will show, and until they speak with witnesses and discuss all the aspects of what happened and why it happened, it will be difficult to say what changes would result."
