Student charged with attempted murder in sword attack at Brandon school: police

An attempted murder charge has been laid after a student was allegedly attacked with a sword at a Brandon high school. Joseph Bernacki has more.

A 15-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a sword attack at a Brandon, Man., high school is in stable condition, as another student faces an attempted murder charge.

The Brandon Police Service provided an update on the violent incident that unfolded Tuesday afternoon at Neelin High School, calling it a senseless act of violence.

Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates said a student initially alerted the school’s resource officer about the attack, and police arrived minutes later to find a 16-year-old student wielding a sword.

He was hit with a Taser and arrested.

A 15-year-old student was found with stab wounds to his chest, forearms, hands, and thighs, police said.

He was given immediate medical attention and is now in stable condition.

Bates said the actions of the responding officers showed exceptional bravery.

“These officers’ actions were nothing short of courageous and averted what could have been a far more tragic outcome,” he said.

The incident sent the school into lockdown.

The suspect has since been charged with attempted murder, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and disguise with intent.

The accused had a scheduled remand hearing Wednesday morning.

Bates said the suspect and victim were both students at the school, and the suspect had no known prior dealings with police.

Investigators are still working to discover what motivated the attack.

“Certainly, he was not on the radar as someone who presented risk of imminent harm and tragedy, so that is something that I can comment on, but I don’t have definitive specifics on a criminal history.”

Crisis response team brought in to support students, staff

Brandon School Division Superintendent Mathew Gustafson said the attack will have a ripple impact through all of its schools.

A crisis response team has been brought in to offer support to students and staff in the coming days and weeks.

“Our focus at this point is the support of the student, his family and the Neelin family of students and staff, as well as our Brandon School Division community as a whole.”

- With files from CTV’s Daniel Halmarson