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CBC
19 hours ago
- CBC
Sword attack at Brandon high school was racially motivated act of hate, police say
Social Sharing WARNING: This story contains graphic details of violence and injuries. The sword attack at a Brandon high school last week was a targeted and racially motivated assault, police say. "The offender planned the attack and the perpetration of violence against targets chosen specifically based on race — targeting people of colour and immigrants. It was a deliberate, senseless, targeted act of hate," Chief Tyler Bates said in a statement posted on the police service's Facebook page on Friday. "This is disturbing and no one should ever fear for their safety because of the colour of their skin, and no child should be made to feel unsafe in a place of learning. There is no place in our community for racism, hate or violence of any kind." Chinonso Onuke, 15, is recovering after the attack on June 10 left him with wounds on his hands, chest and thigh. Seven of his fingers were nearly severed as he fought off the attacker in a hallway at Neelin High School. A 16-year-old fellow student has been charged with multiple offences, including attempted murder. "The investigation is complex and ongoing, but at this early juncture, we have uncovered a significant amount of evidence that indicates the suspect's political and racial ideologies were motivating factors in this crime. These findings reinforce the gravity and intent behind the attack," Bates wrote. "We understand the deep concern this incident has caused. The mortal danger encountered at Neelin High School has affected us all but has united Brandonites in resilience, kindness and opposition to racism and hatred." In an interview with CBC News earlier this week, Onuke said his attacker was wearing a long black trench coat, a hat and a mask with a long beak. At first, he thought it was a costume — until the teen pulled out a jagged sword and lunged at him, striking him in his stomach. Onuke fought off the attack and ran to the school office. The school was immediately put into lockdown. Police were called at 1:15 p.m., and by 1:22 p.m., the 16-year-old was in custody. Officers used a stun gun to subdue and disarm him. Onuke was rushed to Winnipeg for more than 10 hours of emergency surgery. In his Facebook post, Bates reiterated what he said at a news conference the day after the attack — that the emergency planning the police service has undertaken with the Brandon School Division, the established relationship between school liaison officers and students, and the rapid swift action of the responding officers "prevented mass casualty." However, it is clear there remains work to do to further enhance and improve safety within Brandon schools, the post said. "We will continue working with our partners in education, mental health and community organizations to ensure that our schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for everyone," he wrote. "We recognize the lasting emotional impact this has had and will continue to have on all those involved, and we are committed to supporting them through every step of the healing process."
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Accused in Brandon sword attack ordered to have mental health assessment
The exterior of Neelin High School in Brandon, Man., pictured on June 11, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News) The student accused in a Brandon high school sword attack has been ordered to undergo a mental health assessment. A 16-year-old student at Neelin High School in Brandon was arrested and charged last week after he allegedly brought a sword to school and attacked a fellow student. The victim, Chinonso Onuke, suffered multiple injuries, including wounds to his chest, abdomen and leg, which required emergency surgery. The accused's lawyer, Robert Harrison, confirmed to CTV News Wednesday that a provincial judge in Brandon ordered a forensic assessment for his client on Tuesday to learn if he is suffering from any psychological or mental health disorders. The assessment is to be done in 30 days. Meanwhile, Brandon police said it is still working with the Crown to determine if any additional charges will be laid. 'Significant material disclosure has been made to the Crown Attorney's Office, inclusive of statements and digital evidence, a thorough analysis by the Crown's Office of the investigative materials is underway,' Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates said in an email to CTV News. 'The collective assessment of the evidence disclosed to the Crown Attorney's Office will dictate whether any additional charges are warranted. We continue to work in close collaboration with the Crown to assess all available evidence.' Police confirmed the teenager is still in custody. He has been charged with attempted murder, uttering threats, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disguise with intent. The charges haven't been tested in court.
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Sword attack victim at Brandon high school back home recovering
Chinonso Onuke at home recovering after being attack by someone with a sword at a Brandon High School. Uploaded June 17, 2025. (Alex Karpa/CTV News) The victim of a sword attack at a Brandon high school said the incident didn't feel real. Chinonso Onuke, a Grade 10 student at Neelin High School, is at home recovering a week after being stabbed multiple times by a fellow student at the school. 'In the moment, I was not thinking at all,' Chinonso told CTV News Tuesday. He remembers the lunch break was just about to end and he was doing one more lap in the hallways when he saw someone dressed in all black, including wearing a 'witch doctor mask.' He said he thought it was a weird attire to wear at school and then asked the person's name before turning around and walking away. 'I'm walking away, I turn back. Something makes me turn back…and he's pulling out a sword,' he said. 'Before I can even think, he lunges at me, gets the first one in my abdomen.' Chinonso remembers falling to the floor and being slashed again in the leg, then stabbed in the shoulder and chest. 'He was about to go for my core, like my heart, stomach area. So I just end up grabbing the blade with my hands, then he tries to pull it, I don't let go. I pushed it away and I just booked it to the office.' Chinonso Onuke Chinonso Onuke suffered multiple wounds after being attack by someone with a sword at his Brandon high school. Uploaded June 17, 2025. (Alex Karpa/CTV News) Brandon police said last week that students alerted the school's resource officer and police arrived a short time later. A 16-year-old student was found with a sword. He was Tasered by police and arrested. The incident caused the school to be locked down. The suspect has been charged with attempted murder, uttering threats, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disguise with intent. The charges haven't been tested in court. Chinonso has wounds on his shoulder, chest, abdomen, upper thigh, and forearm and seven of his fingers were deeply cut. He was rushed to hospital. 'The whole thing happened so fast, you would think it's a dream. You wouldn't think it's real. So I was just there, kind of wondering, 'Yo, did this actually happen, or am I just dreaming?'' Chinonso's mom, Helen Onuke, remembers getting a call and being told there was an accident. She got to the hospital and was told her son was in trauma. 'I said to myself, 'Helen, breathe. Breathe and brace yourself.' Then I got in there and there was like 20 nurses and doctors and he's like, just all blood,' Helen said. Chinonso Onuke Chinonso Onuke in hospital after the attack. June 11, 2025. (Helen Onuke) Chinonso was taken to Winnipeg the next day for an emergency surgery to try and repair all the tendon and nerve damage. Helen said she was scared to hear what had happened and has to try to prevent herself from thinking about what else could have happened. 'Because, you're thinking, 'What if he did not turn around?' With such a sword, he could have just cut his head off. Can you imagine going to school and that happens? No. You send your kids to school and you're thinking they are safe. It's supposed to be the safest place.' She said she wants officials with the school and provincial government to come together and work on a plan to ensure the school will be safe for all students moving forward. Chinonso went back to the school three days after the attack to visit. He said he was a little in shock at first, but that quickly disappeared as he realized the school isn't a bad place, rather, something bad happened there. 'You just got to understand to separate the action of what happened from the area.' - With files from CTV's Alex Karpa and Katherine Dow
