O’Loughlin Catholic College locked down after person jumps fence, assaults students

A Top End school has been locked down after an “unknown minor” aged 13 jumped the fence at recess and physically assaulted four students. The principal has issued a statement.

O’Loughlin Catholic college. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

O’Loughlin Catholic College at Karama has been locked down after an individual jumped the fence and assaulted four students.

Parents of the school were messaged just before noon about the hour-long lockdown.

“O’Loughlin CC has been in lockdown this morning,” the message read.

“Unknown minor entered school grounds over fence at recess and physically assaulted (unprovoked) four students.

“Those parents informed.

“Emergency services on site.”

A school parent told the NT News she was “in bits” at the news.

“I feel helpless that our children cannot be kept safe while away from home,” she said.

In a statement, NT Police said it was “currently investigating” the incident.

“It has been reported that a 13-year-old individual, who is not a student at the school, allegedly assaulted four students on the premises, prompting the school to initiate a lockdown procedure,” the statement read.

“At this stage, the matter is under active investigation, and we are urging anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and assist us in our inquiries.”

Principal Megan Evans sent parents a full statement at 1.02pm expanding on the school’s initial message to parents.

“At recess today, an unknown minor entered our school grounds by jumping the fence on Mueller Rd,” she said.

“In an unprovoked attack, four of our students were assaulted.

“The staff member on duty quickly identified the situation and enacted our safety protocols and the school went into lockdown.

“Emergency services were notified and promptly attended on site to address the situation.”

Catholic Education NT director Paul Greaves said paramedics had assessed the four injured students.

“No students were required to be transported to hospital by ambulance,” Mr Greaves said.

“One student was taken by their parents to seek further medical assessment.”

Originally published as O’Loughlin Catholic College locked down after person jumps fence, assaults students