Updated December 8, 2025 — 5:43pm,first published December 8, 2025 — 3:51pm
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Six people are helping police with their inquiries after a stabbing attack sent a school in Perth’s north-east into lockdown on Monday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to Ellenbrook Secondary College just after 3pm, after what police described as a targeted attack involving a group of armed youths outside the school.
WA Police Inspector Gary Butler speaks to media about a stabbing at Ellenbrook Secondary College (inset). 9News Perth/Supplied
WA Police Inspector Gary Butler said police were still collecting CCTV and speaking to the people involved, but confirmed six boys were helping police with their inquiries.
A teenage boy who was stabbed in his left bicep was taken to St John of God Midland Hospital for treatment, where he remained in a stable condition awaiting review.
“This is a tragic and completely unacceptable situation,” Butler said.
“All students have the right to feel safe when they’re at school.”
Butler described the incident as a “targeted attack” and there were no safety concerns from the public.
The teenage victim was a student at the college, but the other boys involved were not, Butler said.
“Police are confident that we have most of the individuals involved; those who we may not have caught up with yet, we urge you to hand yourself in,” he said.
“We will identify you, and we will come knocking on your door.”
Butler said tip-offs and help from the Ellenbrook community as the incident was unfolding helped police as they searched for the alleged attackers.
“Once word got out and social media presented it, we’ve actually been getting lots of calls in relation to collecting of exhibits, and that’s helped us with our investigation,” he said.
“As result of information received from the community that that helped us arrest [the alleged attackers] quicker than maybe other events.”
Parents were sent a message stating that the school was in lockdown “as a precautionary measure to address an issue on campus”.
“The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we are following all established procedures to ensure everyone remains safe,” the note said.
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“Please note: the incident occurred after the final bell and not all students are on the premises.
“Authorities have been notified and are assisting us.”
Parents were advised not to go to the college, “as this may interfere with safety protocols”.
“We will provide further updates as soon as the situation is resolved and it is safe to do so,” parents were told.
“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.”
The Department of Education was contacted for further comment.
More to come.
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Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism.Connect via Twitter or email.Most Viewed in NationalFrom our partners