Students still in fear year after sword attack

BRANDON — Parents and school officials say security has been beefed up but some students continue to grapple with fear and trauma one year after a student was slashed with a sword at a high school.

Chinonso (Nonso) Onuke, who was 15 at the time, was seriously injured by a fellow student who was masked and armed with a sword at Neelin High School on June 10, 2025, in what police said was a targeted act of hate directed at people of colour and immigrants.

A 17-year-old Indigenous male, who cannot be identified by law, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder, along with weapons-related charges, aggravated assault and disguise with intent.

United Nigerians Brandon Association president Hosteen Bungon said Brandon School Division has introduced some safety measures in the wake of the attack.

“We would say the response was quite quick and positive,” he said Friday. “Many of the recommendations made by Nigerian families following the attack were considered by the division, including the establishment of advisory councils involving parents, students, educators and community members.”

Advisory councils for each school were approved by the BSD board of trustees last year following a presentation by the Nigerian group.

Trustee Calistus Ekenna said the division has implemented security improvements, including centralized entry points at elementary schools and additional measures at high schools.

“We’ve made some changes within the school system — security and safety changes,” Ekenna said. “The division has also focused on prevention through greater awareness of cultural diversity, inclusion and community connection.”

The emotional impact of the attack remains evident, he said.

“I’ve had parents come to me letting me know about their kids’ apprehension regarding what happened,” Ekenna said. “Some students are worried, fearful of walking alone in the school and watching over their backs, not knowing what may happen to them.”

Some parents do not want their children to attend Neelin High School because of the attack, he said.

“Some students are worried, fearful of walking alone in the school and watching over their backs, not knowing what may happen to them.”

“There’s still some trauma connected to the incident,” he said. “It’s going to be an ongoing process of not letting down and not forgetting.”

City Coun. Jason Splett, who had two children attending Neelin at the time of the attack, said the division’s response helped students process the traumatic event.

“I’m happy with some of the outcomes that have happened,” Splett said. “The support groups, the counselling and the opportunities students had to talk about it right after the incident helped them put things into perspective.”

His daughter, who still attends the school, has largely moved forward, he said.

“She did see some of the aftermath, but overall she’s pretty happy with what has happened there to help the students move on.”

However, Splett said some parents are still waiting for closure through the court process.

“There are still concerns about the prosecution and how that’s going to shake out,” he said. “I think the outcome of that will help put a few parents’ minds, as well as students’ at ease.”

Bungon said students have become more involved in safety planning and are more aware of emergency procedures and alert systems.

“Safety is everyone’s business,” Bungon said. “Because students were included in the plan, it has given them a sense of security.”

In the weeks following the attack, members of the Nigerian community told school trustees that racism in Brandon schools had been a persistent issue before the incident.

“A lot of education has been going on for people to know that we might be different in terms of skin colour or nationality, but there is something that binds us together.”

At the time, UNBA representatives presented survey results showing 43 per cent of respondents had experienced racial discrimination, and many parents felt their concerns had not been adequately addressed.

A year later, Bungon said reports of racial discrimination have declined.

“The complaints have reduced since the incident because there is this growing awareness,” he said. “A lot of education has been going on for people to know that we might be different in terms of skin colour or nationality, but there is something that binds us together.”

Meanwhile, the criminal case against the accused continues to move through the courts.

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Federal prosecutors announced their intention to invoke Section 83.27 of the Criminal Code, a rarely used terrorism provision that could allow for a life sentence if the accused is convicted and the court determines the offences constitute terrorism.

Police have said they uncovered significant evidence suggesting political and racial ideologies were motivating factors.

The Crown has signalled its intention to seek an adult sentence if the accused is convicted.

A trial is scheduled in Brandon’s Court of King’s Bench from June 7 to June 25, 2027.

— Brandon Sun