Professor, 2 students stabbed during gender issues class at University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo will hold a moment of silence Thursday afternoon after three people were stabbed on campus.

Waterloo Regional Police said three victims, a woman professor and a female and male student, were stabbed inside a classroom at the university’s Hagey Hall around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. All three were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A police spokesperson tells CityNews that the victims were stabbed by a male suspect during a philosophy class. According to the university, the Philosophy 202 class focuses on ‘gender issues.’

The suspect was arrested in the building. Police are calling the incident a targeted attack and say there is no further threat to public safety.

“This incident is all contained within the university community itself,” Supt. Shaena Morris said in an interview “One male was arrested. We are not looking for any other suspects.”

Morris wouldn’t confirm whether the suspect was a student of the university but that they were a member of the school’s community.

Police have not yet released his name or announced any charges.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the attack at the University of Waterloo on Wednesday “horrifying and unacceptable.”

Yesterday’s stabbings at a gender studies class at the University of Waterloo are horrifying and unacceptable. This type of violence must always be condemned. Our thoughts are with the professor and two students who were injured.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 29, 2023

University President Vivek Goel said the campus community was coming to grips with Wednesday’s attack and encouraged the use of mental health supports being offered by the school.

The university says it will hold a gathering among the campus community on Thursday afternoon “in recognition of the shocking attack and trauma we endured yesterday.” A moment of silence will be held at 3:37 p.m.

James Rush, the university’s vice president, acknowledged there was a delay in the school’s emergency alert system after it did not activate as quickly as expected, despite being tested earlier that day. He adds the school is conducting a review.

Rush added there would be speculation about the motive of Wednesday’s attack.

“We must be patient and have confidence in the judicial process. I urge you to focus your energy on supporting one another during this very traumatic time,” he said in a bulletin posted to the university website.

“This was a very troubling and disturbing incident,” said Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe.

“I’m relieved that the individual involved was quickly apprehended. Waterloo City Council and staff offer our support and hope for a full recovery to those injured on UW’s campus today.”

With files from The Canadian Press