The 19-year-old student who was fatally stabbed at an Etobicoke high school on Tuesday has been identified by the school's principal as Hamid Aminzada.

Aminzada had attended the North Albion Collegiate Institute for two years, principal Naeem Siddiq said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. He was taking English as a second language, as well as regular courses.

"This is a very nice and kind young man," Saddiq told reporters at the scene, on Kipling Avenue north of Finch Avenue West.

"It's a very sad story for us as he was quite focused on his family and his future."

Aminzada was slashed in the face then stabbed in the abdomen in the hallway of NACI at approximately 12:40 p.m.

He was found without vital signs at the scene of the stabbing, but was revived by first responders and rushed to hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries.

There was no indication that Aminzada had been involved in anything that may have led to violence, Saddiq said.

The school does not have metal detectors. Although the school had police officers that regularly visited students, no officers were in the building at the time of the stabbing.

Police said several witnesses had come forward and identified the same suspect, who may be a student at the school.

The suspect has been described as a black 17-year-old with a medium build and medium height. He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt. Police are still working to determine whether the suspect is a student at the school.

Police also said that a weapon has not yet been recovered.

The school was placed under a hold and secure status as police investigated the stabbing, going room-by-room. As classrooms were searched, students inside the rooms were cleared to leave the school.

Parents were asked to pick up their children at the Rexdale Community Hub next door.

Saddiq told media that the school would be open on Wednesday, as long as police were done their investigation. An announcement will be posted on the Toronto District School Board website, he said.

Classes will be offered, but Saddiq said the school's staff will focus on providing support for grieving students.

The school will also re-evaluate students' safety following the incident, he said.

"I've always felt that this is a true community school, where the kids look out for each other and it's very safe," he said.

Saddiq said that he believes the stabbing was an isolated incident, but will speak to students to find out how to make them feel safe at school.

TDSB Director of Education Donna Quan issued a statement Tuesday afternoon calling it a "sombre day for the entire TDSB community."

Quan spoke at a news conference outside of the school, thanking the students and staff for their cooperation and Toronto Police for their assistance.

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of the student who was killed today," she said.

With files from CTVNews.ca's Fan-Yee Suen