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Warning: This story may contain details that are disturbing to some readers. The Kids Help Phone is available 24-7 at 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868. Adults can access mental health support at HealthLine 811.
Two students from Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon are telling their stories after they say they were mere feet away from where a 15-year-old girl was set on fire at the school on Thursday afternoon.
Sophie Hubbard and Lexxi Sparvier are new Grade 9 students at Evan Hardy and were just leaving their social studies class when they say they stepped outside the classroom and looked around the corner to see a horrific situation unfolding.
“When we came out of social, we saw the girl put something to her hair and then her hair started to light on fire first,” Sparvier said.
“When her hair went on fire, her body started to light on fire and she started to scream. She was spinning around, and then she fell onto the ground and she was rolling — the teachers were asking her to drop and roll. When she did, she hit her head on the lockers and the locker or the wall went on fire,” Sparvier added.
“There was a lot of smoke. The teachers were trying to pat her down so the fire wouldn’t spread anymore, but for a good 50 seconds the fire was still on her,” Sparvier told 650 CKOM.
“After that we don’t know where she went. We just saw the girl laying on the ground and the smoke.”
One teacher was sent to hospital as he tried to help the victim. His condition is not known.
Sparvier said when the fire happened, everyone paused for about five seconds in shock and then she yelled “fire!” and ran out with Hubbard.
“Then the fire alarms went off,” said Hubbard. “I was still in shock, and then I ran back to the classroom and ran back outside.”
Fire acelerant may have been used
Sparvier said she called emergency services.
“I went out to the door (and a person) was holding open the door and asked me to call 911. I dug into my pocket and called 911,” Sparvier said.
Within five minutes all of the emergency crews responded, she said.
The students allege there was a type of flammable liquid poured onto the victim that came from inside a black canister.
650 CKOM has been told the teen used a fire accelerant, as a mere flick of a lighter would not have caused such serious injuries.
“It’s information that I’ve received from very credible sources that were a factor in this incident. Where that came from, whether or not the accused brought it with her to school, obtained it at school, I don’t know that,” said Evan Bray, host of The Evan Bray Show on 980 CJME and 650 CKOM on Friday. Bray is former chief of Regina Police Service.
Arrested teen tried to flee
A 14-year-old student appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Friday charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and arson.
As the incident was unfolding, Hubbard and Sparvier allege the arrested 14-year-old tried to flee the school.
“She tried to run … teachers went to go chase after her, while others were helping the girl on fire.” said Hubbard.
The students said the girl looked like she was resisting as she was taken into police custody.
650 CKOM learned on Friday that the student at the centre of the high school attack had a history of violent behaviour.
Bray has sources that confirmed the accused teen has been flagged as a potential danger to herself and others.
Bray said that in schools, police work with social services, teachers, administrators and other professionals to conduct Violent Threat Risk Assessments.
“It could be a variety of things, and is usually linked to other behavior that causes enough suspicion and concern that professionals sit down in a meeting that is solely focused on determining whether or not this individual is a threat.”
Bray has confirmed that these assessments had been conducted multiple times regarding the girl accused in this situation.
Hubbard and Sparvier said they were scared and shocked by what happened.
“I didn’t believe it was real,” said Hubbard.
“(I’m) pretty shook up still,” Sparvier said. “(I am) concerned for the victim mostly because she got burned. She didn’t deserve that.”
Both students said they’re a little scared to go back to school on Tuesday, when it’s expected pupils will return to the classroom.
Counselling ‘super important’
Cassie Roberts is Sparvier’s mother and says her daughter texted when it happened.
“I’m still trying to break down what really happened. It’s unreal,” she said. “You just don’t expect something like this to happen. I’m not sure how we’re going to cope with it, but it’s going to take a long time.”
Students at the school have been offered counselling.
Roberts said her daughter already goes to counselling and has an appointment on Monday.
“I take the kids to therapy even when they don’t want to go to talk about stuff,” Roberts said. “At this age, at this time, the world is a lot harder than it was for me growing up. I did book trauma therapy for her for Monday and I think that’s a big thing and it’s super important.”
Roberts doesn’t yet know how she will feel when students return to school.
“I’m going back and forth in my mind with what’s next. Where do I go from here? This was just her second day.
“Lexxi, with elementary, she wasn’t excited for school at all, so for her to be excited to come to high school, (it was) a big thing in our house,” Roberts said.
“We’re all so proud of her, and now the second day of high school this happens — where do we go from here?”
‘Our hearts go put to the victim’
Saskatoon Public Schools Director of Education Shane Skjerven told reporters on Friday that the school board “recognize the seriousness of this incident and understand the strong emotions that have stirred throughout the entire school community”.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families remains our top priority,” he said. “Our hearts go out to the victim and the entire school community as we face this difficult time.”
Skjerven did not take any questions from reporters.
He said the school will be closed for classes on Monday so students can access the counselling services they need.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a statement Friday about the incident.
“Saskatchewan Health Authority leadership team, staff and physicians express their heartfelt sympathy to all those involved in the incident at a high school in Saskatoon yesterday,” the statement said.
“The SHA is coordinating with Saskatoon Public Schools and the Ministry of Education to provide youth mental health and counselling supports onsite at the school today for any students who may require support.”
— With files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk and 650 CKOM News.
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