Portage high school student stabbed, suspect arrested

A student was hospitalized and a suspect was taken into custody after what officials say was a stabbing on the Portage Collegiate Institute campus in Portage la Prairie Monday morning.

Details of the incident were outlined in a news release from Pamela Garnham, superintendent of the Portage La Prairie School Division, who said the stabbing happened during a “confrontation” on school grounds.

The injured student got first-aid help from staff before paramedics arrive. The student was transported to hospital in stable condition and the school was placed on lockdown, said the release.

A second school and daycare nearby were placed under a hold and secure.

“The division’s priority throughout the incident was the safety and security of students and staff while police worked to locate and apprehend the suspect,” Garnham wrote.

RCMP said in a Facebook post several officers were called to the school shortly after 10 a.m. No information about the suspect was provided.

The hold-and-secures were lifted just before 11:15 a.m., and the lockdown at the high school ended about 10 minutes later.

Garnham said division officials will determine whether additional measures or enhancements to existing safety protocols need implementation.

Crisis response teams and school counsellors will be available for students or staff who need help following the stabbing.

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca