Teacher hailed as hero for fending off attacker during North Shore stabbing, support pours in from community

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A teacher is one of the six people who survived Saturday’s fatal stabbing after she tried to defend another woman from the attacker.

A long-time biology teacher at Argyle Secondary in North Vancouver, Shelah Klausen, is now recovering at home.

Her sister Leah Michayluk says Klausen gets her fierce strength and bravery from their mom.

“She’s a warrior,” Michayluk says. “She saw the man running into the library and just start stabbing a woman. So, she yelled to her daughter to run and hide and she picked up her umbrella, ran towards the man, and just started beating him to try to get him off and then, that’s when he slashed her hand and stabbed her.”

Michayluk says her sister suffered a cut to her finger trying to block the knife, as well as a stab wound on the back left side of her head.

“She’s doing really good. She’s healing fast and just sticking close to her daughter and her husband,” Michayluk adds.

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According to Michayluk, Klausen has been asking about other victims, and she wants her neighbourhood to be a positive, safe place again.

“Amazing. She’s my hero,” she says.

“I’m hoping for the community to go back to a place where they’re safe and happy and I hope this event doesn’t ruin that for people.”

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up for another victim.

One woman, a single mother who was left with what is being called extensive, life-altering injuries, is unable to work anytime soon.

Notes from donors have offered wishes for a speedy recovery and reassurances that the community is behind her and her three children.

A letter has gone out to families across the North Vancouver school district, with counselling being offered to students and staff as class resumed Monday after Spring Break.

It encourages parents to speak with their children about their reactions and concerns over Saturday’s events.

People who are in need of assistance can find help through North Shore Emergency Management, Foundry North Shore, Family Services of the North Shore, and Hollyburn Family Services, to name a few resources.

North Vancouver District Mayor Mike Little says grief counselling is set up at Karen Magnussen Rec Centre.

“This centre is a space for the community to access services to support your mental and emotional well-being. The centre is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the next seven days,” Little says.

A memorial has continued to grow at the Lynn Valley Library.

On Monday afternoon, homicide investigators said the victims in the violent attack included one man and five women between the ages of 22 and 78.

Yannick Bandaogo, 28, was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with second-degree murder. He’s scheduled to appear in court on April 1.

Court records show that Bandaogo has an address in Gatineau, Quebec, and has a violent criminal history. He is also wanted on warrants in Winnipeg.

– With files from Hana Mae Nassar and Mike Lloyd