Teen Charged in Horrific Triple Stabbing at Manchester High School
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder following a triple stabbing at Co-op Academy in Blackley, Manchester. Two students and a staff member were injured, though their conditions are non-serious, as a counter-terrorism unit leads the ongoing investigation into the incident.
A 14-year-old girl has been formally charged in connection with a triple stabbing incident that occurred at a school in north Manchester. Police confirmed that the girl faces three charges of attempted murder and two charges of possessing a bladed article on school premises following the incident on Tuesday, June 9. She is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, June 12.
The charges come after two students, a boy and a girl both aged 14, and a 27-year-old male staff member were stabbed at the Co-op Academy in Blackley. Authorities confirmed that the injuries sustained were consistent with stab wounds but were classified as "non-serious." All three injured individuals have since been discharged from the hospital.
Counter-Terrorism Policing North-West is leading the investigation into the stabbings, a development noted by Ch Supt David Meeney, the city of Manchester’s district commander. While a counter-terrorism unit is involved, detectives have stated they are "keeping an open mind to the motivation of the attack" and have not officially declared it a terrorist incident. Det Chief Supt Jonathan Chadwick, head of counter terrorism policing north west, emphasized the seriousness of the charges against a young girl and highlighted ongoing support for the victims, their families, and the wider school community.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, students were placed into lockdown and instructed to remain in their classrooms. A large crowd of students, parents, and passersby gathered outside the school, with some parents expressing frustration at not receiving direct information from the school and relying instead on communications from their children. The school later issued a message to parents, confirming an "incident" had occurred but assuring them everyone was safe.
Despite the severe nature of the charges, police have reassured the public that there is no information to indicate any further threat, with local officers maintaining a presence in the area to address any concerns. The investigation is still ongoing as authorities continue to work closely with Greater Manchester Police.