The tranquility of a gender issues class at the University of Waterloo was shattered when a perpetrator stabbed a professor and multiple students. Students present during the attack recounted the assailant’s chilling words before brandishing a knife, triggering a chaotic escape from the classroom.
In a shocking turn of events, a professor and two students were subjected to a terrifying act of violence during a class on “gender issues” at the University of Waterloo in Canada. The incident, which unfolded has left the community in a state of disbelief and concern. Law enforcement authorities have taken a suspect into custody, while the victims are receiving medical attention for their non-life threatening injuries.
According to the Waterloo Regional Police Service, the motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time. Superintendent Shaena Morris assured the public that there is no further threat to safety within or beyond the campus grounds.
A professor and two students were stabbed during a gender studies class at the University of Waterloo in Canada on Wednesday, and one person is in custody, authorities said https://t.co/RXWPOlvwlQ
— CNN (@CNN) June 29, 2023
Nick Manning, the associate vice-president of communications for the University of Waterloo, joined the police in a news conference to discuss the impact on the community. According to him, two of those transported to the hospital were students, and one was a professor. They were all in the same class. “Our entire community is really concerned that this would happen here. It’s a big shock,” Manning said. “Our first thoughts, of course, go to the students who are in the class and have turned immediately to making sure, in addition to supporting the police inquiry. We’ve been there to support the mental health of our students and of our staff,” Manning said.
Manning stated that advisors from IMPACT and the Canadian Mental Health Association have been stationed in Hazy Hall and other parts of campus to assist anyone affected by the tragedy. “We’ve immediately turned to supporting our students. We will look at some of the other issues around the campus as we unfold the incident in the coming days,” he added.
Yesterday’s stabbings at a gender studies class at the University of Waterloo are horrifying and unacceptable. This type of violence must always be condemned. Our thoughts are with the professor and two students who were injured.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 29, 2023
The news comes only hours after the University of Waterloo reported that it had completed testing of its emergency notification system. “We need to take a look again at our emergency notification systems, of course,” Manning said. “In any incident, the first thought for anybody involved is the immediate preservation of life and the security response, which is where the focus was today.”
Manning stated that the institution does not have a significant and visible security presence on a daily basis.
“We are blessed to be in an area of the world where these kinds of things happen very, very rarely. We have a great security team and special constable service that were able to react very, very quickly in great partnership with Waterloo Regional Police Service,” Manning added. The institution did not name the professor who was involved in the attack.
The distressing incident occurred within the confines of Philosophy 202, a course that delves into the intricate realm of “gender issues,” as outlined on the university’s official website. Manning expressed the profound shock felt by the entire community, emphasizing the gravity of the situation during a press briefing.
Eyewitness Yusuf Kaymak, a student at the University of Waterloo, recounted the harrowing sequence of events. According to Kaymak, the assailant entered the classroom and confronted the professor, seeking confirmation of his identity. Subsequently, he drew a knife from his backpack and initiated the attack, prompting students to flee for their lives. Chaos ensued, leaving one student injured and bleeding from his arm. The fate of the professor was not known earlier,but later police conveyed that the wounds suffered by the victims were non-life threatening.
Congrats to University of Waterloo students who are Not allowing MSM control the narrative on the stabbings today. They have posted pics of the person arrested. They posted the exact class where incident took place. pic.twitter.com/ZYMliQXrCV
— Miss understood (@Missund84973428) June 29, 2023
Approximately 40 students were present during the class, and the incident has left them traumatized. In response to the severity of the situation, classes scheduled for Wednesday evening at Hagey Hall, the location of the assault, were canceled. However, the university assured the community that all other campus operations would continue as usual.
While the immediate focus is on supporting the police investigation, the University of Waterloo has extended its thoughts and concerns to the affected students. The institution remains committed to providing assistance and ensuring the well-being of those impacted by this distressing incident.The victims of this attack were provided immediate medical facility.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability that educational institutions can face. It calls for a renewed emphasis on campus security measures and the importance of fostering safe and inclusive environments for students and faculty alike.
Today at 3:15pm, our campus community will gather in the Arts Quad in recognition of the shocking attack and trauma we endured yesterday.
— University of Waterloo (@UWaterloo) June 29, 2023
Remarks will begin at 3:30pm followed by a moment of silence at 3:37pm. pic.twitter.com/dZj3JKW90U
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, thoughts turn to the victims and their families, hoping for a swift recovery and a return to normalcy. The incident will undoubtedly spark broader discussions surrounding campus safety and the well-being of those within academic settings.
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