Current:Home > Contact-usFormer student arrested in "hate-motivated" stabbing at Canadian university gender studies class-LoTradeCoin
Former student arrested in "hate-motivated" stabbing at Canadian university gender studies class
View Date:2024-12-24 09:14:46
An international student was arrested on Thursday for allegedly stabbing three people at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, authorities said.
The suspect, 24-year-old Geovanny Villalba-Aleman, had been studying at the university and recently graduated, police said. He allegedly targeted a gender studies class during the Wednesday attack.
"Investigators believe this was a hate-motivated incident related to gender expression and gender identity," the Waterloo Regional Police said.
Investigators determined that the suspect was not a member of the class but spoke to the professor before allegedly attacking her with two large knives. Some students tried to stop the attacker while others fled the classroom, Waterloo police said at a press conference Thursday.
There were approximately 40 students inside the classroom when the suspect stabbed the professor, a 38-year-old female, one 20-year-old female student and one 19-year-old male student.
As the incident unfolded, the university told students in the building to shelter in place.
"If you are in Hagey Hall, please stay in place until you are escorted out of the building by Police who are now clearing the building room by room," the university tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
At 3:37 p.m., police received multiple emergency calls from students and responded promptly. The suspect was identified based on the description students provided, and he was arrested inside the university building without incident.
He is being charged with three counts of aggravated assault, four counts of assault with a weapon, and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief.
"Yesterday's stabbings at a gender studies class at the University of Waterloo are horrifying and unacceptable," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter. "This type of violence must always be condemned."
In a statement issued Thursday, the school's provost, James W.E. Rush, called the attack "shocking."
"In the coming days many of you will have questions about why this happened and about the University's response," Rush wrote. "My commitment to you is that senior leaders will be as transparent as possible with the information we have."
- In:
- Hate Crime
- Canada
S. Dev is a news editor for CBSNews.com.
veryGood! (88662)
Related
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- US proposes replacing engine-housing parts on Boeing jets like one involved in passenger’s death
- US proposes replacing engine-housing parts on Boeing jets like one involved in passenger’s death
- Iran executes man convicted of killing a senior cleric following months of unrest
- Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
- Wu-Tang Clan announces first Las Vegas residency in 2024: See the dates
- AT&T Stadium employee accused of letting ticketless fans into Cowboys-Eagles game for cash
- Yes, dietary choices can contribute to diabetes risk: What foods to avoid
- Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
- Krispy Kreme’s 'Day of the Dozens' doughnut deal is here: How to get a $1 box
Ranking
- What is prize money for NBA Cup in-season tournament? Players get boost in 2024
- Why Bella Thorne Is Trying to Hide Battery Packs in Her Hair for Mark Emms Wedding
- US to spend $700M on new embassy in Ireland, breaks ground on new embassy in Saudi Arabia
- Five whales came to a Connecticut aquarium in 2021. Three have now died
- Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
- Why are there NFL games on Saturday? How to watch Saturday's slate of games.
- For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative and satisfying victory lap
- Oprah Winfrey talks passing baton in The Color Purple adaptation: You have taken it and made it yours
Recommendation
-
In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
-
Biden's fundraisers bring protests, a few celebrities, and anxiety for 2024 election
-
Ethiopia arrests former peace minister over alleged links to an outlawed rebel group
-
White House open to new border expulsion law, mandatory detention and increased deportations in talks with Congress
-
NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
-
Andre Braugher, Emmy-winning actor who starred in ‘Homicide’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,’ dies at 61
-
Newest, bluest resort on Las Vegas Strip aims to bring Miami Beach vibe to southern Nevada
-
Jennifer Aniston says she was texting with Matthew Perry the morning of his death: He was happy