Two Youths Charged In Connection With Stabbing At Hamber

Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby via Times Colonist

On Mar. 5, the VPD announced that two youths were facing charges in relation to a stabbing that happened after a basketball game at Eric Hamber Secondary School last month. 

“The B.C. Prosecution service has approved charges of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose against a 16-year-old, and one count of assault with a weapon against a 15-year-old,” the VPD wrote. Both teens who were charged have been released on court-ordered conditions. 

On Feb. 3, an 18-year-old was stabbed following a basketball game between Eric Hamber and Killarney Secondary School. The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) say they were called out to Eric Hamber Secondary School just before 9:10 PM PT. 

“An 18-year-old boy sustained serious injuries to his arm,” said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said in a news conference, as per CityNews Vancouver. “My understanding is he underwent a surgery or significant medical treatment at hospital, and is recovering.” Addison said that the teenager was a former VSB student, but the previous school he attended was not disclosed.

He said that the VPD was also aware of one other victim who “was struck during one of the fights with what [they] believe to be an object, possibly a bike lock.” 

Finally, while the motive of the assault is unknown, Addison said that “there was some tension that arose between the two schools” during the “high-stakes game with playoff implications.”

“Those conflicts spilled over into the hallways of the high school when the game ended and resulted in, unfortunately, this very serious assault,” he said. 

The VPD also said that they were in touch with the VSB about increased police presence at upcoming games, as per CBC. Furthermore, the VPD sent extra school liaison officers to both Killarney and Hamber for the remainder of the week. 

In addition, a VSB spokesperson said that they were “aware” of the serious incident after the basketball game at Hamber, according to CBC. “Additional supports, including counsellors, school liaison police officers and District staff are at the impacted school,” they said. 

Police have set up a web portal for anyone with cell phone video of the fight or the game itself to submit their clips. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to report to the VPD’s youth investigative unit.