Fiery assault at Evan Hardy left school, community in shock

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The Saskatoon StarPhoenix is looking back on some of the stories that had the biggest impact in 2024. Today: An assault at Evan Hardy Collegiate that left not only the high school, but the entire local community in shock and grieving.

In a matter of seconds, lives were changed forever on a September afternoon at Evan Hardy Collegiate.

Over the noon hour on Sept. 5 — the first week of classes as students returned to the Saskatoon high school — a horrific scene unfolded.

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According to witnesses and later the Crown when charges were laid, a girl poured flammable liquid from a black canister onto another girl’s head and lit it. Flames spread from the victim’s hair and face to her shoulders, back and stomach within seconds.

“This is not just another day at the office,” Saskatoon police Sgt. Ken Kane said in the hours after the incident.

Witnesses described teachers using clothing to snuff out the flames. A police school resource officer who happened to be at the school sprinted to the area and arrested the suspected girl. Firefighters and paramedics arrived within minutes.

“Our officer that was on scene was at the immediate area of the event within 30 seconds and had someone in custody within 60 seconds … I believe this situation could have been much worse and more out of control if we didn’t have an officer there right away,” Kane said.

The shocking story brought worldwide attention. The 15-year-old girl was transferred to an Edmonton hospital for care and what is expected to a long recovery process. A teacher who was burned while helping her was released from hospital a few days after the incident.

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A 14-year-old girl is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm and arson. Two months later, institutional charges of uttering threats and assaulting a peace officer while in custody on Nov. 8 were laid.

The identities of the accused and youth victim are banned from publication under statutory provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The Crown has given notice that it will seek an adult sentence for the accused teen. The maximum youth sentence for attempted murder is three years; the maximum adult sentence is life imprisonment.

In September, an NCR (not criminally responsible) assessment was ordered. Court heard that the accused had said during her arrest and while giving a subsequent police statement that “voices told her to do things.”

Court also heard the girl had received prior psychiatric care during emergency room visits in the summer. She also had a prior autism diagnosis and was under the care of a nurse practitioner who had diagnosed her with a psychotic disorder.

Classes did not resume at the school for several days. Students showed their support for the injured teen, placing flowers and signs outside the school. In the first days back, students were encouraged to wear purple — the injured teen’s favourite colour.

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A GoFundMe campaign page describes the victim as “a kind, caring, bright young woman who is much beloved by all who have had the pleasure of meeting her.”

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