14-Year-Old Charged with Attempted Murder After Allegedly Setting Classmate on Fire at Sask. High School

In a shocking turn of events at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon, a 14-year-old girl has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and arson following an incident where she allegedly set a 15-year-old classmate on fire. The accused, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared tearfully in Saskatoon provincial court on Friday morning. Judge Doug Agnew required her in-person presence to assess the seriousness of the situation before remanding her into custody until her next court appearance scheduled for September 11.

During the court proceedings, the accused’s family members were present but chose not to speak with the media. The courtroom atmosphere was tense, reflecting the gravity of the case.

The victim, a 15-year-old girl, was swiftly transported to the hospital following the horrific attack that occurred around noon on Thursday. The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) reported that the victim remains in serious condition. Teachers at the school played a crucial role in extinguishing the flames; one educator was also hospitalized with unspecified injuries. The police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Emotions ran high as the victim’s aunt, alongside the victim’s older cousin, attended the court proceedings. Both relatives were visibly distressed and chose not to make statements to the media. The tragic event has deeply affected the community, leading to the cancellation of classes and a scheduled football game on Friday, as announced in a letter from the school to parents. The school has not yet confirmed when classes will resume.

Sgt. Ken Kane addressed the media about the incident, describing the afternoon’s events as unsettling and confirming that the 14-year-old girl remains in custody. The severity of the attack has left the entire school community grappling with shock and grief.

Samantha Becotte, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), expressed the federation’s profound concern. “It is incredibly disheartening to witness such a tragic event unfold within our schools. We extend our heartfelt wishes for recovery to everyone affected and hope that the support systems are in place to aid those impacted by this incident,” Becotte remarked during an interview on Friday.

Becotte refrained from discussing individual teachers’ conditions due to privacy concerns and indicated that it is premature to assess whether preventive measures could have been implemented. She emphasized the STF’s commitment to ensuring that all members have access to free counseling services and support as they navigate this challenging time.

As the community comes to terms with this disturbing event, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families, as well as on fostering a safe environment in schools to prevent such incidents in the future.