The Vancouver Police Department says it is investigating after a teenager was stabbed following a basketball game at Eric Hamber Secondary at West 33rd and Oak Street Monday evening.
Police say the assault took place shortly after 9 p.m. as a game between that school and Killarney Secondary School was concluding.
Speaking to media Tuesday morning, Sgt. Steve Addison said an 18-year-old boy was stabbed, sustaining serious injuries to his arm.
“My understanding is he underwent a surgery or significant medical treatment at hospital,” Addison said.
Police say they are aware of at least one other victim.
“That is a person who we understand, we believe, was struck during one of the fights with what we believe to be an object, possibly a bike lock,” he said.
“We are continuing to investigate that. There certainly may be other victims.”
Anyone else who was injured is asked to contact police.
Addison said the suspect was not present or located when police got there.
(CityNews Image)
No arrests have been made.
The exact motive of the attack is unknown, but Addison said, “I have come to the understanding that during the game, there was some tension that arose between the two schools” during a “high-stakes game with playoff implications.”
BC Emergency Health Services tells us the person taken to hospital was in stable condition but did not provide any further information.
According to a letter from the Vancouver School Board (VSB) that was sent to parents shortly after 11:30 p.m., “several people” were injured after an “altercation” took place at the school.
In the letter, the school board said it recognizes how upsetting the news must be for families, students, and staff.
“Please know we are working closely with VPD and doing everything we can to support those impacted and to care for students and members of our school communities,” it said.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of students during this difficult time.”
Beyond that, details are slim as far as what actually happened to prompt the incident and whether others were injured as a result.
(CityNews Image)
The VSB did say supports will be available today at both Hamber and Killarney for students who may wish to reach out. As well, it asked parents to be careful what information they share.
“To protect the privacy of those affected and prevent misinformation, we kindly ask families to refrain from speculation,” it said.
Addison said police have seen some video footage of the incident. Anyone with further relevant footage is asked to submit it via a video portal. As well, witnesses are asked to call the VPD’s Youth Investigative Unit at 604-717-0614.
We have reached out to the school board for more information.