Student arrested after Montreal teacher injured in stabbing at John F. Kennedy High School

Montreal police have arrested a teenager in connection with the stabbing ofa teacherat a school in the city's Saint-Michel neighbourhood.

Police spokesperson Const. Jean-Pierre Brabantconfirmed a teacher at John F. Kennedy High School suffered "minor lacerations" in an incident Thursday morning.

The teacher was taken tohospital for treatment and, according to the English Montreal School Board, had to undergo surgery.

A spokesperson for Urgences Sant, the Montreal-area ambulance service, said paramedics initially feared the teacher's wounds to his chest and shoulder were life-threatening, but that the risk was downgraded once the victim was taken to hospital.

"It could have been a lot worse, but fortunately the gentleman is in stable condition and no other injuries have been reported at this time," said the spokesperson, RenDurand.

Brabant said the assault followed an argument or altercationbut that the nature of that interaction is unclear for the moment. He said police are still investigating, but have removed their perimeter around the school. Students returned to class shortly afterward.

Police have confirmed the teacher is 41-year-old Maxime Canueland that the suspect is 16. English Montreal School Board spokesperson Mike Cohen said the teen was in Grade 9.

Cohen called the attack "unprovoked." He said the student walked into the classroom of an art teacher, who was his teacher but the student was not part of that class.

"He brandished a knife and stabbed him twice. The stabbing was quite deep, but not life-threatening. There was a lot of blood. The student kind of showed the knife to everybody and then he just left the classroom, left the building," Cohen said.

Several worried parents showed up while the police operation was underway and their children waved from open windows to signal they were safe.

Residents in the area have been on high alert since a 16-year-old boy, Thomas Trudel, was shot dead without apparent cause on Oct. 14 around 9 p.m. at the intersection of Villeray Street and 20th Avenue.

John F. Kennedy High School is also on Villeray Street, about 10 blocks away from where Trudelwas killed.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Montreal police tweeted that a suspect had been arrested nearby.

John F. Kennedy High School is a public high school operated by the English Montreal School Board.

Grade 11 studentGiuliano Bizdikianwas in another class at the time, but soon heard via text message thathis music and art teacher had been stabbed.

"I was shocked, but Ijust started texting everyone I know andItold them, 'Stay calm, we'll be alright,'" saidGiuliano, adding that before getting the news, all students knew was that they were in lockdown.

"The teacher is extremelydown to earth, really cool teacher. He's one of my favourite teachers, he's been my music teacher since I was really young. He's really nice, so for him get attacked like this, it hurt a bit,"Giuliano said.

City to hold forum on armed violence

The incident prompted reaction from several elected officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who tweeted that he was "shocked by the news coming from Papineau," which is his Montreal riding.

"My thoughts are with the John F. Kennedy High School community and, in particular, the teacher who was stabbed this morning," Trudeau wrote.

"I'm wishing him a full and fast recovery, and I'd like to thank the authorities who responded so quickly."

Quebec Education Minister Jean-Franois Roberge reacted in a scrum, saying the province would provide the high school with psychological support staff.

Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbault said she was sad to hear about the incident and said her government was investing $52 million to preventarmed violence.

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante also tweeted about the stabbing, calling it shocking.

"My thoughts are with the victim, his relatives, the students and the staff of the Saint-Michel school. This violent event has shaken us all," Plante wrote.

She said the city is assisting police with any resources they need to investigate and is working with community organizations on ways to prevent violence among youths in the neighbourhood.

Plante said the city will be holding a forum on armed violence in January.The city has recorded an uptick in armed incidents, including shootings.