Girl charged with three counts of attempted murder
A 13-YEAR-OLD girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after alleged stabbings at a school.
Pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Carmarthenshire, went into lockdown just after 11.20am on Wednesday after the incident at the end of morning break.
Two teachers and a pupil were taken to hospital and received treatment for knife injuries. They have all since been discharged.
A CID-led investigation was launched with a continued police presence at the school.
A girl, who is not being named for legal reasons, was arrested at the scene.
She has now been charged with three counts of attempted murder, DyfedPowys Police confirmed yesterday evening.
Speaking outside the school as he confirmed the charges, Superintendent Ross Evans thanked medics for their “swift response”.
He said: “I would once again like to thank our colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance Service for their swift response to this incident, as well as the NHS staff who treated those who were injured, the charitable organisations who are supporting those affected by this incident and the vigilant members of the public who reported their concerns to us.”
During the early hours of yesterday morning, hours after the incident at the school, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a boy had been arrested in the nearby Cross Hands area following threats being made on social media.
The 15-year-old boy was arrested concerning “threats involving a firearms”.
A BB gun was recovered from a property and the boy, who is also not being named for legal reasons, remained yesterday in police custody.
It is understood he is not a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
Police have said they are seeking to establish “whether there was any connection between the alleged offences”.
Supt Evans said: “We would like to thank the many members of the public who reported concerns around messages they had seen online. This allowed us to take swift action in executing a warrant and arresting a suspect.
“While this investigation is being run separately to our enquiries into the major incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman yesterday, our officers will be seeking to establish both the credibility of the threats, and whether there was any connection between the alleged offences.
“Again, I would urge people not to speculate, not to share any images or videos relating to either investigation, and to allow us to carry out our enquiries fully. If you, or your children, are distressed by these events, please seek support from an appropriate agency.”
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman was closed to all pupils and staff yesterday as a CID-led investigation continues at the school. While online lessons will continue, the school will stay closed for in-person teaching today, Carmarthenshire County Council has said.
Whether the school will reopen on Monday has not been confirmed.
Regarding Wednesday’s incident, Supt Evans said: “We understand the level of concern in the community as people try to process the incident. We urge anyone affected by [Wednesday’s] events to seek support, and not to share any videos, photos or information that might cause further distress to pupils or parents at the school.
“We continue to work with Carmarthenshire County Council and other agencies as they provide support to those affected by yesterday’s events.”
Councillor Darren Price, leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “On behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council, I would like to express our relief that the three injured individuals have been discharged from hospital and we wish them a speedy recovery.
“[Wednesday’s] incident came as a great shock to everyone and I would like to recognise the excellent response of the staff and pupils at the school, council staff and all emergency services involved.
“I am humbled by the strength, resolve and determination by all involved to see our children return to their classrooms as soon as it is safe to do so.”