A teenage girl has entered a guilty plea for a violent assault where she set another student on fire inside a Saskatoon high school. The shocking incident occurred at Evan Hardy Collegiate and left a 15-year-old girl with severe injuries.
Guilty Plea Entered in Packed Courtroom
The accused, who was 14 years old at the time of the offence on September 5, 2024, cannot be named due to provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. She appeared in a Saskatoon King’s Bench courtroom on Monday, where the space was filled with supporters of the victim.
The girl pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and unlawfully causing bodily harm to a teacher. She had initially chosen a judge-alone trial before changing her plea.
Details of the Hallway Attack Emerge
The assault took place during the lunch hour at Evan Hardy Collegiate. Court heard that the accused poured a flammable liquid on the 15-year-old victim in a school hallway before igniting it.
A witness reported seeing flames spread from the victim’s face to the rest of her body. The attack prompted a swift response, with firefighters and paramedics arriving on the scene within minutes.
The victim sustained serious burns and had to be transported to Edmonton to receive care in a specialized burn unit. A teacher at the school, Sean Hayes, was also burned while attempting to extinguish the flames and assist the student.
Aftermath and Potential Sentencing
The school resource officer arrested the accused at the scene. During the arrest, the girl was described as being wrapped in a blanket, swaying, and stating that voices told her to do it.
Following the attack, the Crown prosecution service announced its intention to seek an adult sentence if the girl was convicted. This is a significant consideration, as the maximum youth sentence for the offences is three years, while an adult sentence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The guilty plea marks a pivotal moment in a case that deeply affected the school community. In the days after the September attack, students left flowers and messages of support outside Evan Hardy Collegiate.
