On Tuesday, November 1, a man entered Abbotsford Secondary School and stabbed two students. 13-year-old Letisha Reimer was killed and a 14-year-old girl is recovering in hospital.
Some schools in the Lower Mainland immediately announced they were renewing safety protocols, and in the Abbotsford School District the decision was made to lock the exterior doors of all secondary schools in the district.
In School District 6, which includes secondary schools in Golden, Invermere and Kimberley, Superintendent Paul Carriere says the district does periodically review and change safety practices. Changes are made in consultation with the Safe Schools Coordinator, advisors in the Ministry of Education and the RCMP.
“We will consider any necessary changes in our District based on recommendations we receive,” Carriere said.
The current practice in the school district is that front doors of schools are not locked during the day because they are monitored. Perimeter doors at schools are locked during class time.
Police have confirmed that the incident in Abbotsfordis being considered a “random act of violence” and 21-year old Gabriel Brandon Klein, of no fixed address, has been charged with second degree murder and aggravated assault.