Former Waterloo Student Sentenced to 11 Years for Shocking Classroom Stabbings

A former University of Waterloo student, Geovanny Villalba-Aleman, was sentenced to 11 years for a violent stabbing incident in a gender-studies class in 2023. The court deemed his actions a “particularly grave hate crime” but opted against terrorism charges, as they weren’t ideologically driven. Villalba-Aleman stabbed two students and an associate professor and showed calculated intent with a troubling premeditated statement. Following the attack on June 28, victims spoke of their emotional trauma during sentencing. With time served, Villalba-Aleman has over seven years left in prison. In response, instructor Katy Fulfer expressed hope for building inclusive communities, emphasizing the ongoing need for gender equity and safety in educational spaces.