[EN IMAGES] A Cégep de Valleyfield employee stabbed, a man arrested

An employee of the Cégep de Valleyfield was allegedly stabbed by a man, before a fire broke out in the educational establishment on Friday morning in Montérégie.

The attack allegedly occurred inside the walls of the CEGEP around 6:15 a.m.

According to our information, the victim was stabbed in the neck by a suspect in his thirties. She was taken to hospital, where she is said to be in stable condition. We wouldn’t fear for our lives.

Alongside the attack, a fire was started, possibly by the attacker. It is not ruled out that it is of accidental origin. The blaze was serious enough for a large plume of smoke to emerge from the windows, as evidenced by images posted on social networks.

The individual was located and then arrested by Sûreté du Québec (SQ) police officers.

In a 41-second video obtained by The Journal, the bearded man with a shaved head seems a little unsteady. He is completely naked, handcuffed and surrounded by several police officers.

It could be a person with mental health problems who has no connection with the CEGEP.

“He was taken to hospital to receive appropriate treatment for his condition. He will be met when his condition allows,” said a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec.

An investigation was opened to establish the cause and circumstances of this event, which forced the evacuation of the CEGEP.

In an email sent to students in the morning, the management of the school announced that its main campus will be closed for the entire day and that classes, with the exception of some online, as well as activities are suspended.

“It should be noted that few people were in the establishment at the time of the event; they received the required care and services, we read in the missive. The situation currently remains under control.”

The Vaudreuil-Dorion and Saint-Constant study centers are open.