A murder investigation was launched yesterday after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed by a fellow pupil at his school.
Cults Academy in Aberdeen was locked down after “gentle, caring pupil” Bailey Gwynne was attacked.
The fifth year pupil was taken to hospital, but later died from his injuries.
It is understood he was stabbed with a pen-knife in the school’s snack bar.
Police last night confirmed a 16-year-old was helping them with their inquiries, but could not confirm if he was detained at the school or elsewhere in the city.
The school will remain closed until Monday to allow officers to continue their investigations.
One pupil yesterday described seeing a “trail of blood” on the floor, and initially thought someone had suffered a nosebleed before noticing the police cars arriving at the door.
A local resident who lives opposite the school added: “I saw the police whooshing up and down in their cars and I saw the police cars following the ambulance away. I wasn’t sure what they were up to. It is not the type of thing you usually get here.”
A fleet of police cars, vans and dog units arrived at the scene at about 1.30pm, and as news of a “serious incident” broke frantic parents raced to the school to check on their children, who were kept in their classrooms until around 3pm.
Speaking at the scene, Chief Inspector Graeme Mackie said: “I can confirm Police Scotland are now dealing with this incident as a murder investigation following an incident between two 16-year-old pupils at Cults Academy.
“The family of the 16-year-old boy who has died have been made aware and our thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time.
“This is a shocking and upsetting incident, the impact of which will be felt throughout Cults Academy and throughout the local community and no doubt, further afield.
“Another 16-year-old pupil is presently in police custody in relation to this matter. We have teams of specially trained detective officers interviewing witnesses who unfortunately are pupils of Cults Academy, and as you can understand will be significantly affected by this matter.”
The school’s head teacher Anna Muirhead was visibly shaken and said both staff and students were in “total shock”.
She added: “The boy involved was a very gentle caring pupil with a lot of friends I think it’s fair to say the whole school community is totally devastated but at the moment of course our thoughts are all with the family, close friends and what they must be going through at this tragic time.
“We have, of course, put in place counselling and support for all staff and pupils and we send our condolences to all involved in this incident.”
Aberdeen City Council chief executive, Angela Scott, said: “It is hard to find words to describe this tragic event. We are thinking first and foremost of this boy’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”