Teen girl, 13, charged over Ammanford school stabbing after two teachers and pupil knifed in playground
A TEEN girl has been charged with attempted murder following a bloody stabbing rampage at a school in Wales.
Two teachers and a schoolgirl were slashed after the pupil “went mad” in the playground at Amman Valley School in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday.
The chaos ended after hero teacher Darrel Campbell grabbed the teenage girl and put her in an arm lock.
Police later swooped on the school and arrested the 13-year-old suspect.
She has now been charged with three counts of attempted murder.
Head of Year Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and another schoolgirl were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Mrs Hopkin, 53, who works with special needs students, was stabbed four times.
She is “quite seriously hurt” but has since been discharged from hospital, her husband John said.
Dyfed-Powys Police said on Thursday the child victim, as well as Ms Elias, have also been discharged from hospital.
It comes just hours after a 15-year-old boy was arrested at his home, in the area, over “concerning messages being shared on social media”.
Executing a warrant at the property following reports filed, cops also found a BB gun.
The teen boy remains in custody tonight.
Superintendent Ross Evans said: “While this investigation is being run separately to our enquiries into events at the school, our officers are seeking to establish if there was a 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.
“Finally, 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.”
The attacks happened around 11.15am outside the canteen of the 1,500 pupil school in rural Wales.
A “code red” alert was sounded over the school’s tannoy and children fled into classrooms and cowered under tables as police and ambulances rushed to the campus.
The shocking aftermath of the knife attack was captured on video as one boy yelled: “That girl’s got stabbed”.
The video, which we are choosing not to show, appears to show two girls on the ground in an outside area of the school before one is pulled away by staff.
One boy can be heard saying: “What the f, what the f?” before a teacher orders the students to “get to class now”.
Hundreds of parents gathered outside the school gates while the children were kept on lockdown for around four hours.
On the school’s website headteacher James Durbridge said: “Today has been a very difficult day.
“It goes without saying that my thoughts are with the three individuals and their families, who have been affected by today’s incident.
“We are proud to have witnessed pupils embodying the school’s core values while supporting their peers and staff.
“I wish to commend all staff and pupils for their calm and mature response during today’s lockdown.”
The school remains closed today while forensic investigations continue.
