4 minors face arson, mischief charges in October vandalism of Catholic church, school

Three teenagers and a 12-year-old are facing charges following a fire outside a school and vandalism at a church.

Four boys between the ages of 12 and 16 are facing charges of arson, mischief or both in relation to a series of fires and vandalisms in October 2025.

On Oct. 19 around 11:30 p.m., Edmonton police say three people were seen at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Elementary School in the area of 135 Avenue and 37 Street. One person was seen with a gas can before fires started on the sidewalk, in a dumpster and on parts of the school’s field.

No injuries were reported, according to an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) news release, but damages were estimated at $1,000.

The next day just after 4 a.m., three people were once again reported to be on the property of St. Clare Catholic Church on 118 Avenue and 63 Street.

Rocks and cement blocks were thrown at the church’s windows and spray-painted satanic imagery and profanity were seen on the building. Police said damages were more than $170,000.

Another $20,000 in damages was caused to the same church in the middle of the night two days later, when EPS said three individuals threw more rocks at the building.

Police have since arrested two 15-year-old boys in connection to all three events. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in connection to the fire at the school and parts of the church’s initial vandalism. All three face charges including arson causing damage to property, mischief to religious property and mischief over $5,000.

A 12-year-old boy was also charged with mischief over $5,000 in connection to the second time the church was vandalized.

EPS said it’s taking hate-motivated incidents and crimes “very seriously.”

“These events hurt not only the victims, but the vicarious trauma has an impact on entire communities,” it said.

Hate incidents can be reported on the EPS website.