Man charged, woman incritical condition after alleged stabbing at Peace Lutheran College

Police have charged a man with attempted murder following a ‘horrific’ alleged stabbing at a Cairns school, as an 18-year-old woman remains in a critical condition.

Peace Lutheran College Picture: Brian Cassey

Police have charged an 18-year-old man with attempted murder following a “horrific” alleged stabbing at a Cairns school.

The incident occurred about 10.25am, at Peace Lutheran College on Cowley Street, Kamerunga.

It will be alleged the man approached an 18-year-old woman who was seated with friends during a school break, and allegedly stabbed her with a knife multiple times before being restrained by staff and other students.

Both the man and woman are students at the school.

The woman was transported to Cairns Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old Caravonica man has been charged with one count of attempted murder and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 17.

EARLIER: Police are investigating the motive behind a “horrific” alleged stabbing at a Cairns school.

Officers have now charged an 18-year-old man who was taken into custody at Peace Lutheran College on Cowley St, Kamerunga where a young woman was allegedly stabbed on Tuesday morning.

Paramedics rushed a female student to hospital in a critical condition, where she remains.

On Tuesday afternoon, Detective Acting Inspector Jason Chetham told media police had recovered a knife at the scene of the incident.

Police and paramedics were called to the school about 10.30am after reports an 18-year-old girl suffered stab wounds.

Det Insp Chetham confirmed the incident happened on the grounds of the school and both involved were students.

Police cars outside Peace Lutheran College in Cairns after a female student, 18, was allegedly stabbed by a male student. Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

“The school did not go into a lockdown as such, but we had staff in that vicinity and they were able to respond quickly and took the male into custody,” he said.

“There was no further threat to the staff or the students and we were able to secure that area very quickly.

“It was a horrific event but it was isolated and there are no other parties involved so it is safe to attend school tomorrow.”

Det Insp Chetham would not say where on the school grounds the incident happened.

“There are no further details that led up to the attack,” he said.

“That’s the focus of the investigation, to find out what’s motivated this. It’s a pretty horrific event to happen anywhere, let alone a school.”

A spokeswoman for the school said the student was receiving hospital treatment and all parents had been contacted.

“The school will continue to assist Queensland Police Service in their investigations,” she said.

“All other students and staff are being provided with support.”

Brett Gregory, whose son attends the school’s kindergarten, said he was shocked to hear of the incident but said he was still confident of his child’s safety at the school.

“I found out through Facebook, but I’m still not entirely sure of what happened,” Mr Gregory said.

“I think maybe the school wanted to keep it from the kindergarten parents so we wouldn’t worry.”

At 4.20pm a Cairns Hospital spokesman said the girl was still in a critical condition.

The college released a statement late on Tuesday saying it was providing support to all members of community affected by incident.

“The safety and wellbeing of all members of our community is our highest priority,” the statement read.

“We ask the community to keep our injured student in their prayers.”

Forensic police officers will continue to examine the crime scene into the night and tomorrow, Detective Acting Inspector Chetham said.

Originally published as Man charged, woman incritical condition after alleged stabbing at Peace Lutheran College