ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Police say a female student is dead and another is in hospital following a stabbing at a high school in Abbotsford, B.C.
Abbotsford police Chief Bob Rich says a young man is in custody and it appears he is not a student at the school.
Officers were called at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday and arrived at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School to find two female students with stab wounds.
School staff had subdued the suspect while teachers and other students were administering first aid to the victims, Rich said.
The two girls, whose names and ages have not been released, were taken to hospital.
"I am so sorry to tell you now that one of the students has succumbed to her injuries," Rich told media Tuesday night.
The other female student remains in hospital in stable condition, he said.
Both Abbotsford Senior Secondary and Abbotsford Middle Secondary School were locked down while police searched for additional suspects, but none were found.
Police have not yet confirmed the suspect's identity and it's not yet clear whether the suspect knew the victims, Rich says.
"Who he is, what was driving him, is very much a matter for investigators at this time," he says.
The Integrated Homicide Investigations Team is taking over the case.
Police say video of the stabbing was widely shared online.
"Out of respect for the family, we are asking that the video not be shared further and not be broadcasted," Rich says.
The police chief says although he doesn't yet know exactly what happened, he was thrilled by how staff at the school reacted to the attack.
"I believe the staff were so proactive and so quick that further tragedies probably were prevented by their actions," Rich says.
The Abbotsford School District released a statement Tuesday night saying teams have been deployed to provide support for staff and students.
Abbotsford Senior Secondary will be closed until further notice to allow for the police investigation.
As a parent, it is heartbreaking to hear of the tragedy at Abbotsford Senior Secondary. My thoughts are with the entire school community.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 2, 2016
"We are a very caring community and when one of use hurts, we all do," the statement said.
Provincial Education Minister Mike Bernier and B.C. Premier Christy Clark also shared their condolences online.
"This is so heartbreaking. Thinking of the families and friends of those involved tonight," Clark tweeted.
OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR ABBOTSFORD HIGH SCHOOL FOLLOWING DEADLY STABBING
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Counsellors are available to meet with grieving high school students in a city outside Vancouver as they try to understand a deadly stabbing attack at their school.
This is so heartbreaking. Thinking of the families and friends of those involved tonight. https://t.co/JCNp16rzb1
— Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) November 2, 2016
One student was killed and another is listed in stable condition after police say a barefoot man walked into Abbotsford Senior Secondary early Tuesday afternoon and stabbed two girls before being held by staff.
The building and an adjoining middle school were locked down and school district officials say classes are cancelled indefinitely at the senior secondary.
Abby sr closed and quiet today. pic.twitter.com/GfV5sAUvET
— Kelvin Gawley (@KelvinGawley) November 2, 2016
Support and information sessions for students and staff are being offered in the gym of a nearby church.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tweeted his condolences, saying it is heartbreaking to hear of the tragedy, while B.C. Premier Christy Clark and her education minister have also sent messages of support.
Other tweets urge everyone to wear the black and red colours of Abbotsford Senior Secondary and many messages carry the hashtag #Abbystrong.
Students & parents hold a vigil @abbysenior Tuesday night, after 2 students were stabbed. One young woman has died. @BrennaRoseTV @cbcnewsbc pic.twitter.com/sVf1N6J3ct
— Dan Burritt (@DanBurritt) November 2, 2016
Police said Tuesday that they had a young man in custody. They said it appeared he was not a student at the school and it's not clear if he even knew the two girls.
"Who he is, what was driving him, is very much a matter for investigators at this time," Abbotsford police Chief Bob Rich said.
The suspect's name has not been released and there is no word on any charges. The girls' names have also not been released.
Counselling/support available for those affected by the Abby Secondary incident yesterday. Starts at 9 at St Ann's parish on Mayfair pic.twitter.com/CWBuQHDnSr
— Gian-Paolo Mendoza (@gpsmendoza) November 2, 2016
Police said they were aware a video showing the stabbing was being widely shared online.
Filmed from what appears to be the second floor looking into the school's atrium, it shows a man in a grey T-shirt standing over a girl and frantically stabbing at her as she screams on the floor. A person in an apron then approaches the man, who suddenly drops his weapon and backs away from the woman.
"Out of respect for the family, we are asking that the video not be shared further and not be broadcasted," Rich says.
