Attempted murder charge laid after attack on teen in Gatineau

A 49-year-old man faces several charges, including one count of attempted murder, after an attack on a 16-year-old student near her Gatineau, Que., secondary school.

Police were calledtoa trail between Highway 50 and a creek, not far fromcolesecondairedel'le and Robert Guertin Centre, at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after a report of a stabbing.

A 16-year-old girl had beenseriously injured and was taken to hospital along withthe suspect, who was apprehended by a passerby until police arrived.

On Wednesday afternoon, the 49-year-old man was charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon and two counts of breaching conditions.

It is not known if hewas living in the tents or not.

School board had concerns last year

After the incidentTuesday, Gatineau MayorMaxime Pedneaud-Jobinalsoannounced the end of a project that in 2014 and 2015allowed a "tent city" to be set up for homeless persons during the summer months.

The homes were dismantled at the end of each summer, but homeless persons later returned to the site.

On Wednesday, the president of Commission scolaire des Portages-de-l'Outaouaissaid the school board had broughtconcerns about the project to Pednaud-Jobinlast year.

"We had informed [the mayor] way back in October that there were some concerns about the proximity of the homeless people to the high school.There were some events, there were some altercations with the students and the homeless people,"saidJohanneLgar.

"There is, to me, a danger when you try to put homeless people with youths, and it has to be addressed by all the people that are involved in this project. It's unfortunate that an event like this happened. I'm really saddened by it. But I'm happy to hear that the mayor has decided not to re-conduct the project for the next year."

The temporary shelters were removed Wednesday.