2 staff members, student suspect injured in stabbing at Halifax-area high school
Two staff members and a student -- who is also the suspect -- have been injured in a stabbing at a high school in Bedford, N.S., according to the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE).
"We do know that there was an incident with a student who did have a weapon. Two of our staff members were injured and taken to hospital," says Lindsey Bunin, communications officer for HRCE.
Halifax Regional Police responded to Charles P. Allen High School around 9:20 a.m. Monday.
When officers arrived, police say they found three people who had been stabbed.
Police say a youth who is a student at the school was taken into custody around 9:30 a.m.
Bunin confirmed the student who was taken into custody was among the three people injured.
She says all three injured individuals, whose identities have not been released, were taken to hospital. She could not provide details on the extent of their injuries.
Bunin says the suspect was in the school office at the time of the incident due to a "concern with the student."
"It was all very quick and very immediate, so as soon as it was realized there was a violent incident taking place, there was an announcement made, which is 'hold-and-secure,' which means the students are to stay in place in their classrooms," she said.
Bunin says the student left the building, but that police were on scene "almost immediately."
SCHOOL CLOSED FOR THE DAY
Charles P. Allen High School was placed under a hold-and-secure order while police responded to the scene Monday morning.
One student told reporters it was about 30 minutes into the first period when a call for a hold-and-secure came over the school’s intercom.
“We look out, a ton of cop cars,” the student said. “It’s wild to think about that this could have been one of us or something else."
Some parents who arrived before students were dismissed said they were frustrated over the lack of details provided by the school.
"None of this makes sense. They're not giving us any answers or anything," said parent Gail Burris.
"All they're saying is, 'They're safe in their classrooms.' They need to go home and be safe with their parents."
"I just got a phone call from my daughter saying that they were on lockdown and they still needed to be picked up," said parent Jessica Young. "And that they still haven't been dismissed but here was a stabbing and there was a lot of blood."
A video circulating online appears to show a suspect surrendering to police near the school.
"I saw just a video of him, kind of put his hands up and went down on his knees and got arrested. He kind of gave up I think after the cops showed up," said Luke Campbell, a student at Charles P. Allen High School.
"He was yelling things like, 'My life doesn't matter. Your life doesn't matter,' and yelling how diplomas don't mean anything," said student Dax Thompson.
The Halifax Regional Centre for Education said students were dismissed early and the school would remain closed for the day.
Police say they searched the building and worked with school officials to safely release students and staff from the property.
Officers are expected to remain on scene for most of the day as they continue their investigation.
Police say there is no threat to public safety, but they are asking people to avoid the area.
According to Bunin, about 1,700 students attend Charles P. Allen High School.
An email sent to families by the high school's principal Monday evening says classes will resume Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. for a "mini day."
Buses will run on a three-hour delay for pick up. Dismissal will go ahead as scheduled.
"School psychologists, school social workers and school counsellors will be available at the school over the coming days to provide individual and small group supports to students who would like to connect with them," said Stephanie Bird.
"We know from past experiences and the advice of experts that returning to the routine of school is in the best interest of our students. It provides a safe space for students to access supports related to their emotional well-being and their academic achievement."
EDUCATION MINISTER REACTS
On Monday evening, Nova Scotia's minister of education and early childhood development, Becky Druhan, released a statement calling the incident "very troubling."
"My heart goes out to the school community, those physically injured, as well as those who experienced this unfortunate event at school," she said in the statement sent out just before 6 p.m.
"The staff and students at the school should be recognized for their quick actions. They followed their emergency management training (hold-and-secure), ensuring that no one else was injured or more seriously harmed. Thank you, as well, to the many families who remained patient as our team and local police responded."
Druhan says her department will work with the HRCE to ensure the safety protocols in place at the school worked as intended and determine any next steps.
Anyone who requires mental health supports can also contact
- the provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167 or visit their website
- for children and youth, the Kids Help Phone can be reached at 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868
Correction
This is a corrected article. CTV News initially reported that four people had been stabbed, based on the information provided by police. However, police later issued a correction, stating that three people had been stabbed, not four. The article has been updated to reflect the latest information provided by police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.