Teen charged in stabbing at Welland high school

A 17 year old boy faces several charges including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose following a stabbing inside a Welland high school Tuesday morning.

It triggered the school to initiate its hold and secure protocol.

“All students getting out of the main areas, getting into a classroom or any other type of room that is isolated from the main areas of the school. First ensure the safety of those involved, if they need medical attention etc, then find out if there is still and existing threat.”

Then it’s about making sure everyone else is safe.

The incident happened yesterday around 11 a.m. inside Notre Dame College School in Welland.

Police say there was a fight between four teenage boys. A 17-year-old was rushed to a trauma centre, while a 15-year-old was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

“The older victim was stabbed with an edged weapon. The younger victim, his injuries are a result of the physical altercation that took place.”

Today, a Niagara Regional Police school resource officer was at Notre Dame to provide support.

“They’re part of that community on a regular basis. They make lots of relationships there and speak with staff and students on a regular basis.”

Meanwhile the school board, initiated its compassionate care response team. Andrea Bozza heads up the program.

“Everyone is reacting a bit differently to it. Some students just want a chance to be able to talk about it. Others are expressing some fears.”

Bozza says the idea is to provide a safe place for students to speak about what happened.

“If we think a student might need further support in the future, we’ll complete a referral and provide ongoing social work support for that student.”

Under the Youth Criminal Justice act, no names can be released. The 17 year old student was in court for a bail hearing today facing several charges including aggravated assault, uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Last Wednesday, Niagara police launched an investigation into alleged social media threats made towards Notre Dame.

Police determined the allegations were “unfounded.”

Detectives were able to rule out a connection between Wednesday’s incident and a threat investigation involving another student at the school last week.