Family, RCMP react to brutal assault near local school
Whitehorse RCMP officers are investigating reports of what can only be called a brutal assault on a minor last weekend in Riverdale.
Whitehorse RCMP officers are investigating reports of what can only be called a brutal assault on a minor last weekend in Riverdale.
The incident hit social media last Sunday evening and Monday, prompting an outpouring of reactions.
The family of the minor in question issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon describing their version of what happened.
“First, we can confirm that we are the parents of the 14-year old, Grade 9 student who was viciously assaulted by a group of older teenagers around 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17 in the parking lot and soccer field and adjacent forest of a school near our home,” the family said in the statement.
“As this matter is under an active police investigation and involves young people, we cannot comment on many specific details.
“And we can confirm there were at least 10, perhaps 12, teenagers involved in this attack as this same group verbally assaulted the victim’s mother immediately after.
“There are also video tapes of the assault, which are now in police possession.
“Our son was severely beaten – kicked, punched and more multiple, multiple times over the course of 15 minutes.
“Given the number of blows and the severity of the attack, we are grateful that his injuries are not more severe.
“It was not a fight. And it should not be called that. It was an assault. Plain and simple,” the statement noted.
“It is our hope that each and every person involved in this attack are identified and held accountable for their actions.
“We ask that anyone who has any information on this attack – students and adults – to contact the RCMP or anonymously via Yukon Crime Stoppers with that information.
“Finally, we would like to thank the caring people in Whitehorse – friends, colleagues and strangers – who are showing their concern. We are grateful for their support and the comfort in knowing that many in our community are equally outraged by this assault.”
Whitehorse RCMP also released a statement on the assault.
“The RCMP is aware of a fight that took place outside of Vanier Secondary School in Whitehorse on Sunday, Oct. 17,” police said.
“Police are following up on the allegations of assault involving groups of youths, and do not believe that there is a risk to the public.
“As the investigation is ongoing, police will not provide further details at this time.”
Anyone with further details is encouraged to reach out to police or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestopper via phone at 667-6715 or at http://www.crimestoppersyukon.ca
The Department of Education has made no statement on the assault.
Comments (20)
Up 1 Down 0
Mavis on Nov 3, 2021 at 4:09 pm
I just hope my friend is ok. We miss u at school come back soon. I’m here if u need anything.
Up 1 Down 0
Mavis on Nov 3, 2021 at 3:51 pm
I just hope he is ok. I go to school with him. I hope he is better soon.
Up 61 Down 7
Richard Blindheim on Oct 22, 2021 at 4:54 pm
These incidents involving young people are only going to get worse. There seems to be a lack of responsibility of the parents of these kids to teach them right from wrong and a lack of responsibility of the justice department to hand out appropriate sentences that fit the crime. This latest incident, I would think, should be labeled as attempted murder and the sentence appropriate to that crime. Serious offenses committed by juveniles should have their names and pictures published. I for one would like to know who I'm dealing with.
It's time to really punish the guilty instead of a slap on the hand. There has been hoodlums in every generation but not like the ones of today. We are a society that looks the other way when bad deeds are done and if society doesn't change I'm afraid of what's to come.
Up 30 Down 64
Derp on Oct 22, 2021 at 4:10 pm
It’ll be interesting to see how Currie Dixon blames this on the Yukon Liberal party.
Up 61 Down 0
Selkirk on Oct 22, 2021 at 3:31 pm
@ Not Telling...I hear you... it happened to me too. The best revenge is living well and I hope you do, as I hope the young victim in this recent case gets the healing needed and the ability to move upwards and onwards. As for the sniveling cowards - your futures are already set unless you take great efforts to change.
Up 22 Down 3
Wilf Carter on Oct 22, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Bullying people has gone on since the beginning of time and police can't deal with it all. These kids need help as people are suggesting before they go off the deep end of society, the path they are on now.
Up 18 Down 28
Wilf Carter on Oct 22, 2021 at 9:17 am
Social structure of Yukon society is falling a part because of weak political management of our society needs. We need more action on activities that are safe for our kids, like hiking trips, studying subjects like dendrology which is a study of woody plants, how to do art work with wood and clay, reading programs on future of Canada, politics and how it works and what's important to young people, lessons on careers opportunities in Yukon both public and private sector, courses on culture of all types how they are the same but different in other ways, mankind where it started and how it evolved, what the kids vision for the future of the Yukon, policing requirements, what criminal activity is, etc.
Up 75 Down 3
Austin on Oct 22, 2021 at 8:02 am
Cowards typical cowards. Bring back the boot camps for these little tough guys and girls if they were involved. The parents must be so proud of these little __its. Release their names. Can't do that though they are under age. I don't care if they are under age that is just plain BS. Humiliation goes a long way some times. They have to be told this isn't right. Parents should be held accountable for their kids actions. Hopefully the young victim will heal and move forward knowing full well there are these kinds of idiots in our society.
Grow up you little __its. These are the type of kids that may run our country and we have to rely on them when we grow old. What a joke.
Up 9 Down 32
Angelo Nash on Oct 22, 2021 at 12:11 am
Although you may not have received justice for what happened to you the 90’s, be thankful that changed has occurred and that the city is trying to spread awareness.
Up 31 Down 28
bonanzajoe on Oct 21, 2021 at 8:40 pm
Is this all the information we get? Was it a racist attack? What race was the victim and what race were the perps? If the perps were white against a "person of colour", it would have been revealed. So, not much information for a crime of this severity. And the police want our help to solve it. Give us more information if you want help.
Up 48 Down 12
TheHammer on Oct 21, 2021 at 5:37 pm
Expel them from the school and block any attempt to obtain a higher education. Seek compensation from the parents. We all await to se what kind of justice will be meted out.
Up 67 Down 3
Shawn on Oct 21, 2021 at 5:13 pm
Seriously wrong all of it. One day a kid is gonna bring a weapon to school then what...kids die. Not acceptable one bit.
No amount of mouthing off validates a 10 on 1.
Up 11 Down 26
JC on Oct 21, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Blood in the water and all the sharks come sniffing around.
Retributive "justice" is all about you and making yourself feel better using force. That'll make things better for sure!
Ugh
Up 3 Down 86
Nathan Living on Oct 21, 2021 at 4:45 pm
It must have been a misunderstanding that went sideways.
These young adults need a clear path to their future so maybe counseling but no court action for they are young offenders after all.
Up 119 Down 5
Rod on Oct 21, 2021 at 4:06 pm
“Not Telling”
Maybe you should have told someone! One on one, fair fight. 11 on one, cowards!
Up 61 Down 12
Josey Wales on Oct 21, 2021 at 3:55 pm
Hmmm...the language police have been very busy since this medicrat charade started on changing words, their meaning.
Would the RCMP call allegedly 10-12 “persons” swarming and attacking a member...a fight?
Sooner or later coppers, folks will just do things themselves, B.O.L.E., the Y.O.A. and malfeasance has destroyed this town.
...a fight? wow...that is some public relations spokes cop.
But yet a few words the many protected classes may hear...are a hate crime? Yeah sounds about right for the bizarro world we’ve been engineered into to.
Up 144 Down 6
DOE---why would they? on Oct 21, 2021 at 3:46 pm
DOE- why would they comment--they just mess it all up. Schools can play a big role in this. When the paint ball shooters, from one of the high schools in Riverdale, assaulted an innocent 9 year old girl walking home from school what happened? Nothing. And THAT is the problem. Those teenage males who shot that girl were 16 or 17 as well, driving age, and bragged to other teens how they were high while driving and while shooting the little girl. Even though it didn't happen at school, they were on their school teams and still got to represent their schools, much to the dismay of their team mates. Other teens didn't want to play against them either--would you want to play a game against people who think it's funny to shoot little girls with paintballs for no reason? Represent Team Yukon after you committed such a senseless horrific attack?
So in this case, schools could step up and suspend the students who did this, remove them from any sports team as it brings shame and disgust to the team who has to tolerate the bullies who would do this. Schools say they can't get involved? Well why do you think the grade 12 students jumped this poor boy? He would have met them at school or they would have known about him from school. These sadistic teenagers need to be turfed from our society. Go to juvie for the year and get some counselling in violence and learn how to solve your problems like a human, not like a savage animal. Oh--and adult charges. Try not being able to travel, work, or have privileges in our society. Young offenders act--only protects the murders, beaters and rapers. Victims are given NO RIGHTS IN THE YUKON.
Up 23 Down 95
Matthew on Oct 21, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Ahh yes, well what do you expect when young kids having nothing to live for? They will turn to drugs and violence 95% of the time.
Up 151 Down 3
Still shaken from 1997 on Oct 21, 2021 at 3:11 pm
This reminds me of when Reena Virk was murdered by a swarm of kids in Victoria in 1997. That murder sat with me all this time, it still makes me want to cry. My heart goes out to this poor kid, I'm so sorry this happened to you. These kids here really need to face the reality of what is inside them that led them to hurt another youngster so grotesquely.
Up 66 Down 36
Not Telling on Oct 21, 2021 at 3:06 pm
This happened to me in the 90s by Rotary Park. I don't recall any news reports or calling of the RCMP. Welcome to Whitehorse.