Canberra student taken to hospital after alleged stabbing at Lanyon High School

Police recover weapon; suspect remains at large

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

A Canberra high school student has been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening hand injuries after an alleged stabbing at Lanyon High School on Thursday morning, with the accused student still on the run.

ACT Policing was called to Lanyon High School on Heidelberg Street in Conder about 10.30am on Thursday, October 22, following reports a student had been wounded in the hand by another student.

Paramedics took the student to hospital. Police said the injuries were non-life-threatening.

A police team has recovered the edged weapon allegedly used in the incident. The accused student fled the scene and remains at large, ACT Policing said.

Education Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith disclosed the incident in the Legislative Assembly after questions from Opposition Leader Mark Parton. Mr Parton asked whether a year 8 student at Lanyon High School was allegedly stabbed with a knife, how the family was being supported and the minister's advice for the school community.

"ACT Policing were called to the school, and they have been managing the response to the incident," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The minister said ACT Policing was managing the response to the incident which had resulted in a student requiring emergency medical support.

"My thoughts are obviously with that student and their family," Ms Stephen-Smith said. "Schools should be a safe place for everyone, students and staff. The school has been in contact with families about this incident."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers ACT quoting reference P2496908.

Analysis

Why This Matters

A stabbing on school grounds raises community safety concerns and questions about how schools manage student behaviour.
With the alleged perpetrator still at large, there may be ongoing safety issues for the local area.
The incident has reached the ACT Legislative Assembly, indicating it will be a political and policy focus.

Background

Lanyon High School is a public secondary school in the southern Canberra suburb of Conder, part of the ACT public education system. School stabbings are rare in the Canberra region, making this incident notable. The Education Minister has been questioned in the Assembly about the support provided to the affected student and family, and the broader response for the school community.

Key Perspectives

ACT Policing: The police are managing the incident, have recovered the weapon, and are searching for the accused student, who remains at large. Education Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith: She has expressed concern for the student and family, emphasised that schools should be safe, and noted the school has contacted families. Opposition Leader Mark Parton: He raised the incident in the Legislative Assembly, seeking details on how the family is being supported and advice for the school community.

What to Watch

Whether the accused student is located and charged.
Any further updates from ACT Policing on the investigation.
Possible statements from the school or Education Directorate on security measures or support for students and staff.
Any political follow-up in the Assembly regarding school safety policies.

Sources

Student allegedly stabbed at a Canberra high school, suspect at large · The Canberra Times - News

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedA Canberra high school student was taken to hospital after an alleged stabbing at Lanyon High School.The Canberra Times - News: “A Canberra high school student has been taken to hospital after an alleged stabbing about 10.30am.”
SupportedPolice recovered the edged weapon allegedly used in the incident.The Canberra Times - News: “A police team has recovered the edged weapon allegedly used in the incident.”
SupportedThe accused student remains at large.The Canberra Times - News: “The accused student fled the scene and remains at large, ACT Policing has said.”
SupportedThe injured student was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening hand injuries.The Canberra Times - News: “It was reported a student was allegedly wounded in the hand by another student at the school. Police said the student's injuries were non-life-threatening and paramedics took the young person to hospital.”
SupportedACT Policing was called to the school at about 10.30am on Thursday, October 22.The Canberra Times - News: “A Canberra high school student has been taken to hospital after an alleged stabbing about 10.30am. [...] ACT Policing was called to Lanyon High School on Heidelberg Street in Conder on Thursday morning, October 22.”
Partly supportedReports said another student wounded the student in the hand.The Canberra Times - News: “It was reported a student was allegedly wounded in the hand by another student at the school.”
SupportedEducation Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith disclosed the incident in the Legislative Assembly after questions from Opposition Leader Mark Parton.The Canberra Times - News: “Education Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith disclosed the incident in the Legislative Assembly after questions from Opposition Leader Mark Parton.”
SupportedStephen-Smith said, “ACT Policing were called to the school, and they have been managing the response to the incident.”The Canberra Times - News: “"ACT Policing were called to the school, and they have been managing the response to the incident," Ms Stephen-Smith said.”
SupportedStephen-Smith said, “My thoughts are obviously with that student and their family.”The Canberra Times - News: “"My thoughts are obviously with that student and their family," Ms Stephen-Smith said.”
SupportedStephen-Smith said, “Schools should be a safe place for everyone, students and staff. The school has been in contact with families about this incident.”The Canberra Times - News: “"Schools should be a safe place for everyone, students and staff. The school has been in contact with families about this incident."”
SupportedAnyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers ACT quoting reference P2496908.The Canberra Times - News: “Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers ACT quoting P2496908”