'Complete shock': Lethbridge high school shaken following sexual assault allegations
Students at Chinook High School in Lethbridge said there was a sombre, uneasy feeling the day after police searched a football locker room for forensic evidence in connection to an alleged sexual assault.
In a news release Wednesday, the Lethbridge Police Service said the alleged incident involved a 16-year-old student and players on the football team. The alleged assault occurred in a school locker-room on Oct. 3, after school hours.
No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid at this time
However, many students are talking about the sexual assault allegations that have hit the school's football team. Some players on the team said they don't know what happened.
"Everybody's just in complete shock and the whole team doesn't know what to do,” said Jwan Ali, a Grade 11 student and member of the team.
Ali said he was in a different dressing room after school on Tuesday when police said a 16-year-old was assaulted in a locker room.
Team members said they feel shocked, hurt and left in the dark.
"Not everybody was there and the whole team is getting blamed for it and I don't think that's right," Ali told CTV News.
Police arrived at the school Wednesday with search warrants and the Forensic Identification Unit.
The Lethbridge Police Service's Forensic Identification Unit responded to Chinook High School to help investigate an alleged sexual assault.
Investigators said those involved knew each other.
"It did actually kind of shock me when something of this measure was just randomly told to everyone and my parents got an email about it and stuff," said Grade 10 student Liam Esselmont.
"I’ve never really heard of something like this happening."
Students said the school acknowledged the incident with them Thursday in a video address.
"This is a horrible thing for anyone to go through," said Christine Cassie, the CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre.
"I thank the school and the police for doing the investigation, that's fantastic that they're involved."
In a statement released Wednesday, the Lethbridge School Division said all football-related activities at Chinook High School have been suspended for the duration of the week to allow for the investigation to continue.
"Chinook High School continues to be committed to ensuring the safety and health of all students are of paramount importance,” the statement said.
Students said they’ve felt a shift in the mood around campus since the allegations were released.
"The mood so far today was been not very great," said Esselmont.
"People are still talking about in the hallway and stuff, like what could possibly have happened and rumours are spreading even though our principal said not to spread rumours."
"People are mostly trying to ignore it but you can tell it's on everyone’s mind," added Bryan Rumsey, a Grade Nine student at Chinook High School.
"Everyone’s thinking about it. Like ‘how is this going to change our school in the future?’"
The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre is reminding students of the supports available to them.
"I think, for the students, it's time to really do some reflection and really look at what systems of supports they have," said Cassie.
"All schools have school councillors that are there that are specialized that understand the different levels of trauma and certainly they are available for students to reach out to."
For more information on programs and supports for those affected by sexual assault and abuse, you can visit the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre’s website.
Both the Lethbridge Police Service and Lethbridge School Division will not be releasing any further information until the investigation is complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
With today's high rates, should you consider an interest-free halal mortgage?
A halal mortgage complies with the Islamic religious, or Shariah, law, which forbids the use of 'riba' (interest). Here's what mortgage experts say those considering 'no-interest' halal mortgages should know.
Top whisky, rum and gin brands could pull products from LCBO amid pricing dispute
A group that represents a long list of spirit brands is warning that some popular products could be pulled from the Ontario market amid a multi-million dollar dispute with the LCBO.