Brampton, Ontario – May 28, 2025 – Today marks a solemn milestone in Canadian history — 50 years since the tragic school shooting at Brampton Centennial Secondary School on May 28, 1975, an event that forever changed the lives of students, teachers, and the broader Brampton community.
In memory of this tragedy, flags at Brampton City Hall are flying at half-mast today. This symbolic gesture honours the lives lost and all those impacted by the devastating events of that spring day.
On May 28, 1975, 16-year-old Michael Slobodian entered the school with two rifles hidden in a guitar case. In a horrifying act of violence, he took the lives of teacher Margaret Wright and student John Slinger, injured 13 others, and then took his own life. It remains the first fatal school shooting in Canadian history.
“On May 28, 1975, a senseless act of violence took the lives of teacher Margaret Wright and student John Slinger and left thirteen others injured. Today and every day, we pause, reflect and remember those impacted and honour their memory.”
While the wounds have faded for some, the emotional scars and trauma linger for others. Survivors, former staff, and families affected by the tragedy continue to carry the weight of that day.
A permanent memorial at Brampton Centennial Secondary School stands as a reminder of the tragedy and a place of reflection. A moment of silence and the laying of flowers by local officials and community members is expected to take place later today.
“There was chaos, confusion, and fear — something no one expects to experience in a school,” recalls one former student who was in the hallway during the shooting. “Even after all this time, the sound of those gunshots still echoes in my mind.”
The tragedy prompted a national conversation around school safety, mental health, and youth violence prevention — conversations that remain critically relevant in 2025. The inquest and police investigation that followed the shooting painted a picture of grief and confusion, with no clear explanation as to why a seemingly average student committed such a violent act.
Today, the City of Brampton, the Peel District School Board, and the wider community remember and recommit to the work of making schools safer, more supportive spaces for all students and staff.