Close X
Saturday, March 1, 2025
ADVT 
National

Report Into Fatal Abbotsford School Stabbing Released

The Canadian Press, 23 Jun, 2017 11:56 AM
    ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — A British Columbia school district is making 31 recommendations to improve security after a fatal stabbing last year at a secondary school in Abbotsford.
     
     
    A report by the Abbotsford School District says the lack of separation between a public library and a school library may pose a risk to students. 
     
     
    It calls for some sort of physical barrier between the two libraries in Abbotsford, which is 70 kilometres east of Vancouver.
     
     
    The report examines a stabbing last November that killed one student and critically injured a second at Abbotsford Senior Secondary.
     
     
    Written by two officials with the district, it also urges a review of cellphone reception in all Abbotsford schools after the critically injured student took refuge in a locked computer lab but others inside could not call for help because the room had no phone, cell or intercom service.
     
     
    The officials say communication must be improved with third parties, such as the Fraser Valley Regional Library, whose operations can have an effect on operations at the school, noting that incidents at the library are not routinely reported to school officials.
     
     
     
    "School district staff have reported that public library patrons have been known to been found eating, sleeping and taking refuge from the outdoors in the library," says the report, written by district secretary-treasurer Ray Velestuk and assistant-Supt. Angus MacKay.
     
     
    "It has also been reported that homeless shelters send their clients to the public library for free access to resources including Internet access."
     
     
    They have called for an update by June 30, 2018, on progress related to the 31 recommendations.
     
     
    Police described the attack on the two girls in Grade 9 as random.
     
     
    The report says a man entered the school through the adjoining public library.
     
     
    Gabriel Klein, who was 21 at the time of his arrest and of no fixed address, was charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault in the death of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer and the injuries to the second girl, who can't be identified because of a publication ban.
     
     
    The report says no one could have anticipated or prepared for the stabbing. It praises staff and others at the school for their decisive response.
     
     
     
     
    "Without regard for their own personal safety, staff acted quickly, brought a violent attack to a stop, and immediately provided medical care to the wounded students."
     
     
    It says staff members and some students are to be "commended for their exemplary actions, and serve as an inspiration to everyone in the Abbotsford School District."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    US Judge Issues Arrest Warrant For 'Hot' Yoga Guru Bikram Choudhury

    A Los Angeles judge has issued an arrest warrant for Bikram Choudhury, the Indian American "hot" yoga guru, after he failed to pay more than $7 million in 2016 to his former lawyer who was the victim in a sexual harassment case against him.

    US Judge Issues Arrest Warrant For 'Hot' Yoga Guru Bikram Choudhury

    Two Men Dead Following Separate Incidents In Montreal

    Two Men Dead Following Separate Incidents In Montreal
    Montreal police are investigating the city's ninth and 10th homicides of the year in different neighbourhoods.

    Two Men Dead Following Separate Incidents In Montreal

    Mayors Across Canada Urge Federal Government To Lead On Overdose Deaths Crisis

    VANCOUVER — Mayors across Canada are calling for federal leadership on the "national emergency" of overdoses by ensuring provinces provide timely access to addiction treatment and by launching public education campaigns.

    Mayors Across Canada Urge Federal Government To Lead On Overdose Deaths Crisis

    Man Who Killed Children Struggles With Anger Management: Psychiatrist

    COQUITLAM, B.C. — A man found not criminally responsible for killing his three children because of a mental disorder is making slow progress but still faces serious anger issues, a psychiatrist says.

    Man Who Killed Children Struggles With Anger Management: Psychiatrist

    Two B.C. Wildfires Sparked, One Prompts Evacuation Alert In North Okanagan

    VERNON, B.C. — The BC Wildfire Service is responding to two separate blazes that broke out on Tuesday, including one that has prompted an evacuation alert.

    Two B.C. Wildfires Sparked, One Prompts Evacuation Alert In North Okanagan

    Strong Winds Cause Multiple Power Blackouts Across BC

    Strong Winds Cause Multiple Power Blackouts Across BC
    VANCOUVER — BC Hydro was reporting more than 74,000 homes and businesses without electricity late Tuesday due to strong winds throughout the province.

    Strong Winds Cause Multiple Power Blackouts Across BC