A burglar who allegedly stabbed a security guard five times at an elite Brisbane girls’ school allegedly borrowed a woman’s phone to call a taxi as he fled the scene on Wednesday morning.
Already wanted by police before the stabbing, Khia Gribben, fled Somerville House in South Brisbane after he stabbed the 51-year-old security guard about 5.30am, Detective Inspector Tony Geary said.
Gribben, 25, borrowed the woman’s phone at South Bank station and used it to arrange a taxi to meet him at Albion train station, in the city’s inner north.
Gribben, 25, borrowed the woman’s phone at South Bank station and used it to arrange a taxi to meet him at Albion train station, in the city’s inner north
He was spotted on CCTV on both platforms, carrying a backpack and a green plastic rubbish bin.
Gribben was last seen getting out of the taxi at nearby Lutwyche City shopping centre about 40 minutes after the attack.
Police released a photo and CCTV of him on Wednesday afternoon as they continued their search.
Insp Geary said the man, who is known to police, had no links to the school and was on the exclusive school’s property for the sole purpose of committing ‘a burglary offence’.
An intruder is on the run after repeatedly stabbing a security guard after being disturbed at elite Brisbane boarding school Somerville House
Gribben was spotted on CCTV on both platforms, carrying a backpack and a green plastic rubbish bin (pictured)
Police released a photo and CCTV of him on Wednesday afternoon as they continued their search
The security guard initially thought Gribben was a cleaner before he came at him with a knife and stabbed him five times in the torso and arms.
The guard was not carrying any weapons.
He was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital where he underwent surgery and remains in a stable condition.
It is understood Gribben stole items from the security guard and school, but police would not confirm what they were.
Insp Geary said several witnesses had come forward throughout the day, including the woman who lent Gribben her phone.
‘We’re very confident we will have him in custody in the very near future,’ he told reporters.
Insp Geary urged anyone else with information to come forward or for Gribben’s friends to encourage him to hand himself in
Insp Geary said several witnesses had come forward throughout the day, including the woman who lent Gribben her phone at the train station
Insp Geary urged anyone else with information to come forward or for Gribben’s friends to encourage him to hand himself in.
Members of the public were warned not to approach him, as he could still be armed with the knife.
Two warrants were issued for his arrest after he failed to appear at Caloundra Magistrates Court on August 16.
Somerville House remained open on Wednesday on the advice of police, who set up two crime scenes on site and another at South Bank train station.
School communications director Sarah Dreaver said parents had received regular updates about the attack since 7am and students were being offered support.
‘We consider it to be a really unfortunate, random incident,’ she told AAP.
She said the injured guard was much-loved by the school community .
‘The school’s rallying behind him and his family as we do in the Somerville way,’ she said.
Somerville House was established in 1899 and is a day and boarding school for girls from prep to year 12.
The security guard was taken to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra hospital in a stable condition with wounds to lower and upper abdomen, sides, and arms
Despite being stabbed up to five times, the guard fought off the intruder and ran to the administration block where he called for help.
Students living at the boarding house were on campus at the time the guard was stabbed at the school’s performing arts centre.
Somerville said classes ran as normal on Wednesday but students were kept away from the crime scene.
‘The area where the incident occurred has been cordoned off from students. The students are not in any danger,’ it said.
‘Support services will be available should students feel affected by this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the security guard and his family at this time.’
Despite assurances from the school and the police, some parents said they would stay with their children until police caught the offender
Despite assurances from the school and the police, some parents said they would stay with their children until police caught the offender.
‘I won’t be dropping her off until I have a little bit more information. I’d just like to know if they’ve found the person who attacked the security guard,’ one mother told 9 News.
Somerville House was established in 1899 and is a day and boarding school for girls from Prep to Year 12. It’s also a co-educational school for pre-prep girls and boys.