A Grade 9 student has been charged after a fellow student was sent to hospital when a fight broke out in a boys' locker room at a Whitby, Ont., school on Tuesday.

The injured 14-year-old student, who has not been identified, suffered a "jab to the back of the neck" shortly before 9 a.m. with what's believed to be a homemade weapon.

"It's not a knife, but it's a metal instrument of some sort," Sgt. Bill Calder told CTV Toronto, speaking at the scene.

The student was stabbed at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, located at 1020 Dryden Blvd., just west of Anderson Street. Officials temporarily placed the school in a hold-and-secure as police searched for the 15-year-old suspect.

Meanwhile, many students sent panicked text messages to their parents, some of whom rushed to the school.

"My son texted me saying there was a stabbing and the school was locked down and that a child stabbed another child in the neck," Jean Hicks said. "So I've just come by to make sure everything is OK."

Police say the suspect was located within minutes.

"The suspect in the case, he was cooperating with the people here," Calder said. "He was put in custody right away."

Police say he has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon. He cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Both the victim and suspect are students at the school, police said.

An isolated incident

The Durham Catholic District School Board called the stabbing an isolated incident. The board's superintendent of education says it's difficult for school staff to locate weapons without the help of students.

"We don’t have the right to check students' bags unless we have an issue or concern that would give us that kind of permission," Janine Bowyer said.

The hold-and-secure was lifted approximately an hour after the stabbing.

Students who witnessed Tuesday's attack were offered counselling.

"They are here for the staff and the students – predominantly the students – if they need to talk to someone," Bowyer said.

The 14-year-old victim is recovering in hospital.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact officers at 1-888-579-1520, or anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

With a report from CTV Toronto's Colin D'Mello