1 week, 2 stabbings at London high schools: A review of recent youth violence

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Two stabbings within a one-week span at London high schools, both resulting in youths taken to hospital, including one who suffered serious injuries. Although uncommon, the recent incidents aren’t the only instances of knife violence among the city’s youths. Here are some other occurrences.

THURSDAY

A male youth was found suffering from stab wounds around 9:15 a.m. in the area of Oxford Street and Fiddlers Green Road near Oakridge secondary school and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said. The youth was stabbed by another male inside a high school in the 1000-block of Oxford Street West, police said. Although a school wasn’t identified by police, CTV News London reported Oakridge sent an email to parents informing them administration was aware of a “serious incident” on the property Thursday morning.

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OCT. 3

A 16-year-old was stabbed during a fight at an evening football game at A.B. Lucas secondary school in the city’s northeast end. The Lucas Vikings were playing host to the Saunders Sabres and police said at about 9 p.m. the teenager was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries sustained in the incident. Officials with the Thames Valley District school board called it an “isolated, serious incident.”

SEPT. 4

A 14-year-old was charged related to a stabbing that occurred at about 9:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Commissioners Road East near Adelaide Street. Police said there were a group of males gathered and two were involved in an altercation in which one was stabbed multiple times. The victim ran from the scene and called police, authorities said. The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital by paramedics, police said. A suspect, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested shortly before midnight in the city’s north end and charged with aggravated assault.

NOV. 21, 2022

A 15-year-old was charged after stabbing a 19-year-old in the cafeteria at H.B. Beal secondary school on Dundas Street. Police responded at about 11:30 a.m. where they found the victim suffering serious injuries. The elder female was taken to hospital to be treated for her wounds. As result of the incident, the 15-year-old – who couldn’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act – faced charges of assault with a weapon and released from custody, police said.

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SEPT. 14, 2022

Two 16-year-old boys were stabbed during a fight in a forest near A.B. Lucas and taken to hospital. Police were called to Glenora Drive, east of Adelaide Street, after being alerted that two youths had suffered stab wounds. A 17-year-old, whose name wasn’t released because he was a minor, pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon and two counts of aggravated assault were withdrawn. The youth received a conditional discharge, including 12 months’ probation, 26 hours of community service and a two-year weapons ban. Court heard the two stabbing victims had taken the 17-year-old’s phone and led him to the forest where the pair assaulted him.

bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada

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