Graduate, 24, charged with ‘hate-motivated’ gender studies class stabbing at Canadian university
Geovanny Villalba-Aleman, 24, is international student who recently graduated from University of Waterloo
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A recently graduated student has been charged with a stabbing attack in a Canadian university’s gender studies class that left three people injured.
Geovanny Villalba-Aleman, 24, is an international student who recently finished studying at the University of Waterloo, Regional Police Service Chief Mark Crowell said on Thursday.
“The accused targeted a gender-studies class and investigators believe this was a hate-motivated incident related to gender expression and gender identity,” the service said in a statement.
The suspect has now been charged with three counts of aggravated assault; four counts of assault with a weapon; two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and mischief under $5,000.
“It is both sad and disturbing that this incident has occurred during Pride month,” Chief Crowell said. “We hope this incident does not diminish from these celebrations but, instead, encourages us all to come together.”
A man entered a Canada university gender studies class and asked what it was about. Then he stabbed three people
Three people stabbed by armed man during ‘Gender issues’ class at Canadian university
Four students stabbed to death, a weeks-long manhunt but no motive: What we know about the Idaho murders
Investigators say that he walked into a university lecture classroom on Wednesday afternoon and stabbed a 38-year-old professor, a 20-year-old female student and a 19-year-old male student with a knife.
Around 40 students were inside the classroom at the time of the attack and fled for safety, police said. The university is located around 70 miles west of Toronto.
Authorities say that Mr Villalba-Aleman, who has no previous criminal record and according to his social media accounts is originally from Ecuador, was not a member of the class but spoke with the professor of the class “before attacking her with two large knives without provocation.”
He then tried to pose as a victim of the attack before officers identified and arrested him.
The victims’ injuries are serious but not life-threatening, and all were being treated at hospitals, said officials.
His Facebook page states that he graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments