Teenager Who Stabbed Classmate in School Altercation Had History of Bullying

Strategic Insights -

A 17-year-old boy who stabbed a 15-year-old classmate at a Welland high school in 2019 was a victim of bullying, his lawyer said. The incident occurred on May 1, 2019, in a washroom at Notre Dame College School, where four male students had gathered to settle an outstanding altercation. The defendant plunged a knife into the side of his classmate, causing serious injuries, including a broken rib and a perforated kidney. The victim's family received a $5,000 payment for "pain and suffering" from the offender, who had no prior criminal record and attended counseling for anger management.

Key Takeaways:

  • The defendant, now 19, was 17 at the time of the offence and cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
  • The victim was the subject of bullying by the offender and others throughout his scholastic career, which contributed to the reason he carried a weapon at school.
  • The incident occurred in a washroom at Notre Dame College School in Welland, where four male students gathered to settle an outstanding altercation.
  • The defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with a weapon in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines.
  • The victim suffered serious injuries, including a broken rib and a perforated kidney.
  • The offender attended counseling for anger management and wrote an apology letter to the victim.
  • The victim's family received a $5,000 payment for "pain and suffering" from the offender.

Statistics:

  • The incident occurred on May 1, 2019.
  • The defendant was 17 years old at the time of the offence.
  • The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident.
  • The offender spent two years on probation following the conviction.
  • The defendant attended the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to plead guilty.

Sources:

  • Alison Langley, "Teen who stabbed 15-year-old in Welland high school had history of bullying, defence says," Niagara Falls Review, 2023 (date of publication not specified)
  • Niagara Regional Police, Case report, 2019 (no specific date or publication provided)