More than $65,000 has been raised for the family of the Saskatoon teen who was seriously injured last week when a classmate at her high school allegedly set her on fire.
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the Sept. 5 attack at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon that sent a 15-year-old girl to hospital with serious burns. The victim has since been relocated to a hospital in Edmonton for further treatment.
A GoFundMe page set up by a cousin of the victim had raised more than $65,000 as of Sept. 10 to help the teen’s parents cover expenses while staying at their daughter’s bedside.
“My aunt and uncle are not going to leave her side until they can bring her home and they will have no income during this time,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Every dollar raised will be going directly to them so they don’t have to worry about their financial situation and can instead focus on the wellbeing and healing of their baby girl.”
A Sept. 7 update to the page said the victim will have “a long and winding road ahead of her as she begins to heal from her wounds.”
Evan Hardy Collegiate students were encouraged to wear purple Sept. 10, the first day they will return to class since last week’s violent attack, according to a Sept. 9 Facebook post shared by the victim’s aunt.
“For tomorrow, Tuesday September 10, 2024, please wear purple and post a picture,” a subsequent post by the victim’s aunt reads. “She needs all the positive energy you can give.”
A collection of flowers and signs has been set up in front of the high school in support of the victim.
School Attack
A 13-year-old student who witnessed the attack told The Canadian Press she had just stepped out of her social studies class for lunch Sept. 5, when she saw two other girls in the hallway.One girl poured liquid from a black canister onto the head of the girl standing next to her and, within seconds, a fire ignited with flames spreading from the victim’s hair and face to her shoulders, back and stomach.
The witness said both she and the victim screamed for help.
The attacker ran from the scene while a number of teachers came out of a classroom to help the victim. They told her to drop to the ground and roll, the witness said.
She said a teacher took off his jacket and used it to swat at the flames on the victim, while other staff grabbed items of clothing and joined in trying to put out the fire.
Police said a school resource officer took the teenage suspect into custody.
The 14-year-old appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and arson last week and is set to appear in court again on Sept. 11.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of the accused, the victim and young witnesses cannot be published.
The 15-year-old girl was not the only person injured during the incident. One of the teachers also sustained burn injuries while helping the victim.
A separate GoFundMe page has been set up to help the teacher, identified as Sean Hayes, in his recovery.
“Mr. Hayes demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness, putting his own safety at risk to ensure a student’s well-being,” reads the page, which was set up by one of Hayes’ colleagues.
“Mr. Hayes has always been a pillar of support and care for his students, and his quick thinking during this emergency truly highlights his exceptional character. His heroic actions were nothing short of extraordinary and embody the very best of what it means to be an educator.”
Nearly $27,000 had been collected as of Sept. 10 to help “ease” his financial burden during recovery. The extent of Hayes’ injuries were not detailed.
Evan Hardy Collegiate described last week’s incident as “very challenging for the Evan Hardy School community,” in a Sept. 6 statement.
Although the school cancelled classes until Sept. 10, it said it would remain open for students and staff to access counselling.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
