Evan Hardy Collegiate is now the centre of a violent crime investigation after two students were involved in an altercation where a 14-year-old female suspect set fire to a 15 year old on Thursday, Sept. 5.
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 while the suspect was in SPS custody and has been processed.
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, and it is unclear when they will resume as the police continue with their investigation. The Saskatoon Public Schools and its Board of Education have yet to issue a statement.
“We work collaboratively with the school board. They are the ones that will determine when and if the school can open. The protocol for the police would be that the general area where it occurred would be locked down until we’re done with the investigation. Once the investigation is done, the school board protocols will kick in regarding how they will deal with the staff, the students, and the parents who attend that school. There are protocols in place,” said Kane.
“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 that we ever expected or could prepare for.”
Kane said no charges had been filed against the suspect. At the same time, SAU detectives continued their investigation by interviewing witnesses and gathering other evidence, such as possible videos of the incident.
“They may, in conjunction with the Crown Prosecutor, find the appropriate charges. As the investigation unfolds, they’ll determine what the evidence tells them the proper charge would be,” Kane added.
Kane said they are not sure what protocol changes the SPS will implement after the incident with the school board.
“I don’t know fully what the investigation will show, and until they speak with witnesses and talk about all the aspects of what happened and why they happened, it will be difficult to say what changes would come from it.”
