Saskatoon Court Hears Sentencing Arguments in Teen Fire Attack Case
Sentencing proceedings are underway in a Saskatoon courtroom for a teenage girl who admitted to setting another student on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate. The 16-year-old offender, whose identity remains protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, entered guilty pleas last December to charges of attempted murder and unlawfully causing bodily harm.
Violent September 2024 Incident
According to an agreed statement of facts presented in court, the attack occurred on September 4, 2024, during the first week of the school year. The then-14-year-old offender poured a flammable liquid from a water bottle onto a 15-year-old classmate during lunch break and ignited it with a lighter.
The victim sustained severe burns and required immediate medical attention. Emergency responders arrived within minutes to find flames spreading from the victim's face to her entire body. The young victim was transported to a specialized burn unit in Edmonton, where she remained hospitalized until just before Christmas 2024.
Background and Investigation Details
Court documents reveal that the victim and offender had previously been friends, but their relationship deteriorated in the months leading to the attack. During the summer of 2024, the offender sent obsessive and threatening text messages to both the victim and another friend, prompting police reports.
During their investigation, authorities discovered a journal in the offender's school locker containing a chilling entry: "was going to die today" in reference to the victim. The offender later told police she had considered setting other students on fire as well.
Mental Health and Previous Incidents
When arrested at the scene, the offender was found wrapped in a blanket, swaying back and forth while claiming voices had instructed her to commit the act. Court records indicate she had previously received psychiatric care during the summer of 2024 and had been suspended from school for starting another fire prior to this incident.
A teacher who intervened during the attack also suffered injuries, leading to the additional charge of unlawfully causing bodily harm against the offender.
Community Response and Legal Proceedings
In the days following the September 2024 assault, Evan Hardy Collegiate students gathered outside their school to leave flowers and messages of support for the injured student and teacher. The violent incident shocked the Saskatoon community and raised questions about school safety and youth mental health services.
Sentencing arguments were presented Thursday in Saskatoon Court of King's Bench, where prosecutors and defense attorneys made their cases regarding appropriate consequences for the serious offenses. The proceedings mark a significant step in a case that has drawn attention to issues of youth violence, mental health intervention, and school security protocols.
The court must now determine an appropriate sentence that balances rehabilitation with accountability for the life-altering injuries inflicted on the victim. Under Canadian youth justice laws, the focus remains on rehabilitation while recognizing the gravity of violent offenses committed by young offenders.
