SASKATOON – A teen girl has been sentenced to three years for setting a fellow student on fire in the hallway of Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon. The 16-year-old, who was 14 at the time of the incident, will serve two years in intensive rehabilitative custody, followed by one year of supervised community service.
Justice Krista Zerr of the Court of King's Bench stated the seriousness of the crime, emphasizing that "the toll of these offences is immense," and acknowledged the widespread ramifications of such an act. The three-year sentence is the maximum penalty for attempted murder under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The sentence was jointly proposed by both the Crown and defense lawyers after the girl pleaded guilty last year to charges related to the attack. Additionally, she admitted to unlawfully causing bodily harm, as a teacher who intervened during the incident also suffered burns.
The victim, a 15-year-old student, was targeted during a lunchtime attack in September 2024. Court proceedings revealed that the relationship between the two girls had devolved into obsession and threats prior to the incident, where the offender doused the victim with lighter fluid and ignited her. The victim sustained severe burns on her arms and face and required extensive surgical treatment following the attack.
Due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, neither the victim nor the perpetrator can be publicly identified. Defense lawyer Fola Adelugba informed the court that her client had faced significant challenges at home, including experiences of sexual abuse. Adelugba also highlighted that the girl struggles with various psychological conditions, including early-onset schizophrenia, autism, and pyromania.
During the sentencing hearing on February 26, the offender expressed remorse, stating, “I know sorry is not enough, but it is how I truly feel. I am aware that everyone, or most of everyone, will not forgive me.” Her acknowledgment of the severity of her actions was a significant moment in the courtroom.
The victim delivered a harrowing impact statement through her mother, detailing the extensive physical and emotional consequences of the attack. She described needing to relearn basic skills like sitting up and walking, and mentioned significant changes in her life, such as developing a fear of large crowds and being unable to participate in activities she once enjoyed. Her mother recounted the traumatic experiences of their family, explaining that 40% of the victim's skin was damaged, necessitating multiple skin grafts and surgeries within the first weeks post-attack.
The victim's mother vividly described the horror of witnessing her daughter in pain, recalling her daughter's whispers due to damaged vocal cords and the traumatic memory of her frightened reactions during painful dressing changes. Another impactful statement came from the victim's older brother, who recalled the terrifying moment when he saw the orange glow of the fire in the school hallway and later learned it was coming from his sister.
Witnesses testified that educational assistants attempted to intervene before the offender managed to bypass them and attack the victim. One assistant expressed feelings of regret, wishing she could have done more to prevent the incident from occurring.
This case highlights the severe consequences of youth violence and the complexities surrounding the rehabilitation of young offenders. The court's decision reflects an effort to balance accountability with the acknowledgment of the underlying issues that contribute to such alarming behavior in youth.
