17-year-old boy arrested following stabbing at Bluefield High School
A 17-year-old boy from Charlottetown has been arrested after a stabbing outside Bluefield High School resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to a 16-year-old boy.
RCMP Sgt. Chris Gunn said the incident began as a fight between several people at the school.
"One of the students of Bluefield High School received minor injuries from the knife. Happy to say that the accused currently is in custody," Gunn said.
According to a release sent by RCMP Thursday afternoon, Queens District RCMP responded to the incident at about 11:15 a.m. AT Thursday and when they arrived they "found a 16-year-old boy suffering from stab wounds."
"The victim has been taken to the hospital. His parents have been notified and are at the hospital with him and we are, again, continuing the investigation," Gunn said.
Gunn said the accused, a 17-year-old boy, was located in Charlottetown shortly after 12 noon AT by Charlottetown Police and members of the RCMP P.E.I. federal policing unit, and was taken into custody without incident.
"PSB was notified of a serious, but isolated incident occurring outside of Bluefield High School," said Norbert Carpenter, director of the Public Schools Branch, in an email to parents and guardians Thursday afternoon.
"We were immediately concerned for the safety of staff and students. RCMP and emergency services were called to the school to lead and manage the situation in conjunction with school staff," he said.
"We were in contact with surrounding schools in the area to ensure safety for the greater community."
The email said the matter remains with the RCMP and the PSB expects further details will be released by police.
The Public Schools Branch had announced Thursday afternoon that a "shelter in place situation" was in place at the school following an incident outside. According to the PSB, shelter in place means the students are safely secured inside the school with the doors locked.
The PSB later updated its messaging, but it wasn't immediately clear if the shelter in place situation was still in place.
"RCMP have now assured us that the situation at Bluefield High School is safe," read a Facebook post from PSB officials.
The post went on to say a regular dismissal would go ahead at the school on Thursday, and additional supports for students and staff would be offered in the coming days.
RCMP were also called to Westisle Composite High School, in western P.E.I., Thursday morning after a report of someone "possibly bringing a weapon" to the school.
"After further investigation by the police there was no evidence to support the accusation," police said in an email.
