Police lay additional charge in the University of Waterloo stabbing attack

Waterloo police say the man accused in a stabbing attack at the University of Waterloo is now facing an additional charge.

Officers say they laid an additional charge of attempt to commit murder on Thursday against 24-year-old Geovanny Villalba-Aleman in relation to the triple stabbing on the campus.

The former international student was initially charged with three counts of aggravated assault, four counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief under $5,000.

Waterloo police responded to reports of a multiple stabbing incident on June 28 inside Hagey Hall.

READ MORE: 3 in hospital, 1 in custody after University of Waterloo stabbing

Police say the 24-year-old targeted a gender-studies class and they believe it was a hate-motivated incident related to gender expression and identity.

Officers say around 40 students were inside the classroom. A professor and two students  were taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Villalba-Aleman is set to appear at a Kitchener courthouse on Thursday.

READ MORE: International student charged in University of Waterloo triple stabbing