‘A community is grieving’: EPSB reacts to teenager killed outside Edmonton school

The chair of Edmonton Public Schools offered words of comfort to the community Tuesday in response to the death of a 16-year-old student after an alleged assault at McNally High School.

Police believe Karanveer Sahota was fatally attacked after school while waiting for the bus outside on April 8. He died of his injuries in hospital on April 15.

BACKGROUND: Teen dead after alleged assault at McNally High School

“It’s so tough to comprehend how something so violent could happen at one of our schools,” said EPSB’s Trisha Estabrooks.

The school board’s chair says Edmonton schools are doing their best to keep kids safe.

“That is part of our mandate is that schools have to be welcoming, safe, inclusive places,” she said.

Estabrooks believes now is the time for community members to help each other.

“I hear the concerns from families right now. And certainly, we are a school community, we’re a division. Right now a community is grieving and we collectively need to find ways to support each other.

“Trying to figure out questions that are really tough to answer.”

READ MORE: Community mourns 16-year-old killed outside McNally High School

Police say a number of suspects have been identified.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, when police are expected to give an update. It’s the same day classes are set to resume at McNally.

An online crowdfunding page set up for the family of the Edmonton teenager last week has raised more than $205,000.