Suspect arrested after student stabbed in chest at Toronto high school

TORONTO — Police have arrested a suspect in connection with an investigation at a Toronto high school, where a student was stabbed in the chest numerous times.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing in front of George S. Henry Academy, near Don Mills Road and Graydon Hall Drive, at about 11:40 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Toronto Police Supt. Neil Corrigan said the student walked himself into the school and informed administrators he had been stabbed. They secured the school and provided immediate medical attention before contacting police.

He added that both the student and the suspect were 17 years old and that police had received information from witnesses about the suspect.

Police said the suspect turned himself in and was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday evening.

“Other events prior to today led to the stabbing,” Corrigan said, adding that there were other people present at the time of the incident who left with the suspect.

He also said that the victim is still being treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the area.

“I’m a parent too and I understand their concern and the media’s concern,” Corrigan said.

“All of us need to work together … we can’t be afraid as a community from a few acts of violence from individuals.”

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A Toronto police school resource officer was attending to other duties and was not present at the time of the stabbing.

This is the second stabbing that has taken place at a Toronto high school since the start of the school year. Three suspects have been arrested after a student suffered a punctured lung when he was stabbed in the chest on Sept. 8; the first day of school.

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“It’s unfortunate that a stabbing did take place today but it’s something that happens every school year and we are in the start of the school year and we’ve got two in a row in September,” said Const. Jennifer Sidhu.

“It is alarming, it is concerning and we will be looking into how we can work with the school board to de-escalate or eliminate this from happening.”

Paramedics said the boy was conscious and breathing at the time they transported him to hospital on Wednesday and they did not perform an emergency run.

Police were allegedly told by witnesses that the student was threatened before the stabbing took place.

Rene Gordon Elementary School, which is just south of George S. Henry Academy, was put on hold-and-secure as a precaution but that was later lifted.