Tragedy struck in Heatley state primary school as a female teacher was reportedly stabbed by an 11-year-old girl in front of his fellow students in Australia.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the female student was found armed with a knife by police officers who arrived at Heatley State Primary School in Townsville, Queensland before mid-day local time on Monday.
According to a statement released by Queensland Police, it stated that the student was taken into custody after officers gave the girl multiple verbal commands before using a “conductive energy device” on her.
According to 9News report, the girl allegedly stabbed a 56-year-old teacher in the shoulder at around 11:30 a.m. Police said the teacher was taken to Townsville Hospital with a small wound on the back of her shoulder. Her injuries are not life-threatening, police said.
“Just before midday, police were called to an educational facility where a student allegedly stabbed a teacher,”
Queensland Police said. “Police located an 11-year-old girl inside the school grounds armed with a knife. Officers gave the girl multiple verbal commands prior to deploying a conductive energy device and taken into custody.”
The girl is assisting police with their inquiries, the statement added.
Investigators from Queensland Police’s Child Protection Unit are working with school officials to investigate the incident.
Senior Sergeant Scot Warrick told 9News that a number of students had witnessed the incident, which he said took place on the school grounds and near a classroom.
Sergeant Warrick said he could not confirm what exactly prompted the incident, but he told the station that the knife in question was a small paring knife. One student told the station that he had spotted a girl pull out a knife from her bag.
“I thought it was a stick at first, but then I found out it was a knife. It looked sharp and I got scared,” he told 9News.
School principal Louise Wilkinson sent parents a letter to reassure them that the safety of their children was the school’s “highest priority.”
A letter from Louise has been sent home with students today – please be assured all students and staff are safe,” the school wrote on Facebook on Monday.
The letter added: “The school is able to provide guidance support for anyone who requires it. I understand there may be some concerns from parents in the school community in relation to this matter and welcome you to contact me directly to discuss any issues.”
Newsweek has contacted Heatley State Primary School for further comment.
