Saskatoon Teen Sentenced to Three Years for Attempted Murder in School Fire Attack
A 16-year-old girl from Saskatoon has received a three-year youth sentence after pleading guilty to attempted murder for setting a fellow student on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate in September 2024. Justice Krista Zerr of the Saskatoon Court of King's Bench imposed the sentence on Monday, accepting a joint submission from the Crown and defence.
Court Proceedings and Emotional Impact
During the sentencing hearing, Justice Zerr acknowledged the profound emotional toll of the crime, noting that it has left many people grappling with grief, anger, and fear. The victim, who was 15 years old at the time of the attack, watched the proceedings from another room in the courthouse. Her mother was seen wiping away tears as the sentence was announced.
The offender, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in connection with the incident that occurred during the first week of school in September 2024. The Crown and defence had proposed the three-year youth sentence last month, along with a concurrent 12-month term for injuring a teacher who came to the victim's aid.
Details of the Sentence and Rehabilitation Program
The sentence includes two years in custody followed by one year under community supervision. It is part of the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision (IRCS) program, a treatment sentencing option designed for youth with established mental health issues who commit violent crimes. Lawyers requested that the teen receive no credit for time already served in custody.
Legal aid lawyer Fola Adelugba stated that her client expressed remorse and "understands the gravity of what's occurred." She described the proposed sentence as "lengthy" and "consequential," emphasizing that it would allow the offender to access supports and programming that were not available to her prior to her arrest.
Background of the Offender and the Attack
During the sentencing hearing, Crown prosecutor Zachary Huywan revealed that the offender has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and pyromania disorder. Reports indicated that she is not a "high functioning individual." The offender offered an apology in court, saying "I know sorry is not enough."
The assault took place during a lunch break at Evan Hardy Collegiate. The offender, who was 14 at the time, poured flammable liquid from a water bottle onto the 15-year-old victim and used a lighter to set her on fire. Witnesses reported seeing flames spread from the victim's face to the rest of her body. Firefighters and paramedics arrived within minutes, and a school resource officer arrested the teen shortly after the incident.
This case highlights the severe consequences of school violence and the legal system's approach to youth offenders with mental health challenges. The sentence aims to balance accountability with rehabilitation, focusing on intensive treatment and supervision to address the underlying issues that contributed to the crime.
