A 16-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder following an attack on two classmates and a teacher at a boarding school in Devon.
The teenager was arrested at dawn on Friday morning following an incident at the prestigious Blundell private school in Tiverton which left one boy fighting for his life and another being treated in hospital for serious injuries.
A member of staff, who tried to intervene, was also injured in the incident, but was able to leave the hospital after being treated.
The schoolboy, who cannot be named because of his age, was charged on Saturday with two counts of attempted murder and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent and is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Monday Morning.
Police and paramedics were called to the £41,000-a-year school just before 1am on Friday following reports of a violent disturbance involving boarding pupils at the Petergate house.
Two students are still hospitalized and one of them is in critical condition. The families of the two victims are with them and are supported by police officers.
A 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of intentionally causing GBH and police confirmed they recovered a stash of weapons from the scene.
“Heartbreaking Time”
Commander-in-Chief Toby Davies of the Devon and Cornwall Force said: “Our thoughts are with the injured boys and their families at what must be a trying time for them. My officers continue to support them and the wider school community.
“We continue to fully investigate this incident and a security guard remains in place at the school and is expected to remain there for the remainder of the day.”
He also urged people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and reminded social media that the suspect cannot be named.
Mr. Davies explained: “These rules are not just for the media; they also apply to members of the public and include information posted via social media.
“This can be seen as interfering with a live investigation and an active criminal trial, and could therefore see those who do not adhere held in contempt of court.
“We therefore remind the public that it is vital that they do not speculate on the identity of the victims or the suspect in this case.”
Meanwhile, concerned parents of children boarding at the 400-year-old school continued to arrive at weekends to check on their well-being.
The mother of a pupil at Blundell Prep School told the Telegraph: ‘It is very upsetting for everyone involved when something like this happens in a school, especially the children but also the parents and the staff. It is very disturbing and distressing for us.
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