Aberdeen was rocked Thursday when a 12-year-old girl was hurt in a knife-related incident at Hazlehead Academy, a sprawling high school in the city’s west end. Police swarmed the scene after reports of a disturbance broke out during the school day, leaving parents shaken and the community grasping for answers.
The girl, whose name hasn’t been released, was rushed to a local hospital. Authorities confirmed she’d been injured but didn’t disclose the extent of her wounds, only saying she was receiving treatment. A weapon, described by police as a knife, was involved, though details about how it was used or who wielded it remain under wraps. The school was locked down briefly as officers secured the area, with students and staff told to stay put while the situation was brought under control.
Police Scotland, in a statement released on April 24, said they were called to the school around midday after reports of an incident involving a “bladed weapon.” They’ve launched a full investigation, with officers still on-site to piece together what happened. No arrests have been announced, but the force said inquiries are ongoing and they’re following a “positive line of investigation.” They’re also appealing for witnesses, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Hazlehead Academy, a state-funded school with about 1,000 students, sent kids home early after the incident. The Aberdeen City Council, which oversees the school, issued a brief statement confirming “an isolated incident” had occurred and that police were handling it. They said support was being offered to students and families but didn’t elaborate on what that entailed. The school’s gates were shuttered by late afternoon, with a lone police van parked outside as reporters and worried parents gathered nearby.
The incident has sent ripples through Aberdeen, a city more accustomed to oil industry headlines than school violence. Posts on X from local news outlets like Aberdeen Live and The Herald Scotland flooded timelines, reporting the bare bones of the story as it unfolded. Official accounts from Police Scotland echoed the same details, sticking to the facts without speculation.
For now, the focus is on the girl’s recovery and the police probe. Classes are expected to resume tomorrow, but the mood at Hazlehead Academy will likely be anything but normal. The investigation continues, with authorities tight-lipped about what led to the incident or who might be involved.