The sister of a 15-year-old-boy who was stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield has said “her heart is broken into a million pieces”.
Emergency services were called to the school at around 12.17pm on Monday. Harvey Willgoose was found with serious injuries.
He was taken to hospital but died shortly after. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested by South Yorkshire Police on suspicion of murder.
Harvey’s family and friends shared their sorrow on Facebook, with his sister Sophie Goose writing: “My heart is broken into a million pieces. I love you so much Harvey. Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight cos I wish I could.”
One parent told her how her children were left “sad and traumatised” after witnessing the horrific event at school. She detailed how her daughter was told to “get to safety” by an older pupil and later, her children expressed a desire to help Harvey’s “mummy”.
Another parent said: “My thoughts are with the young blades family and my thanks to the older child who told my daughter to get to safety.”, reports the Mirror.
Concerned for school security, she declared, “It shouldn’t be that easy to waltz into school with a knife.”
Tributes have flooded in for Harvey Wilgoose who was described as having a “sweetheart” and “sweetest soul”.
One tribute read: “Today due to tragic events at All Saints School in Sheffield we lost an amazing young man called Harvey Wilgoose, only 15……he was such a bright, enthusiastic and energetic character who will be missed by many…”
Following this tragedy, the school is expected to be closed for several days.
In light of the circumstances, pupils have been offered counselling services. Headteacher Sean Pender said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our student who we lost today and his family…” The school community was reeling from the news as the headteacher announced: “It is with immense shock and sorrow that I have to inform you that one of our students was fatally stabbed.”
This incident marked the second lockdown at the school in just a few days. Previously, on January 29th, the headteacher had alerted parents about a lockdown caused by “threatening behaviour between a small number of students”.
Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield expressed her condolences, stating: “Our thoughts are with the family of the boy who has sadly lost his life, his friends and the whole school community.”
She acknowledged the impact of the tragedy, adding: “We know that what has happened will cause significant distress and concern and our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our investigation continues.”
Butterfield also mentioned the ongoing investigation, saying: “Although we are in the early stages of our enquiries, we are working at pace to build up a full picture of how this tragedy unfolded. We urge anyone with information that would assist us to get in touch.”
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