14-year-old girl charged with attempted murder after student set on fire at Saskatoon school

Saskatoon police say a 14-year-old girl has been charged with attempted murder after a student was set on fire at a Saskatoon high school Thursday.

The girl appeared in provincial court Friday morning and was also charged with aggravated assault and arson.

Police say the victim, a 15-year-old girl, is in serious condition in hospital.

Officers say a teacher was injured while trying to put out the fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate on Thursday, and the division says other staff were also hurt.

“I believe that the situation could have been much worse and could have been more out of control if we hadn’t had an officer there right away,” Sgt. Ken Kane, with the Saskatoon police school resource unit, said Thursday.

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“This is not something we ever expected or could prepare for.”

Saskatoon Public Schools says the accused was also a student.

Samantha Becotte, the president of the union representing Saskatchewan teachers, said members have been shaken.

Becotte couldn’t provide further details about the fire or how many staff were injured.

“Right now, we’re just really focusing on supporting the staff that are there and making sure they have what they need to welcome students back. This is a really traumatic incident for the whole community,” she said.

“We want to ensure that when they return, that they’re comfortable and safe, and then looking forward into the future hoping to have further conversations about what’s needed to ensure incidents like this are prevented.”

Becotte has long pushed the provincial government for additional supports to address rising violence and better help higher-needs students.

Teachers went on strike and pulled volunteer work to pressure the province to move on those issues during a labour impasse earlier this year. Both sides have since agreed to go into binding arbitration, with those talks scheduled for December.

“We’re looking to further those conversations, talking about solutions to the challenges students and teachers face in schools and classrooms, and what is needed to best support them and ensure everyone has a safe learning environment where they can thrive,” Becotte said.

“But, right now, the focus really needs to be on supporting people in a really challenging time.”

Classes were cancelled Thursday and Friday.

— with files from The Canadian Press