Surrey RCMP is advising the public of two separate incidents of alleged assault at a secondary school in the Guildford area.
On Friday May 31, at approximately 11:30 am, the Surrey RCMP received a report of an assault that had occurred near a secondary school located in the 16000 block of 104 Avenue.
Investigators learned that there was a physical confrontation between a group of a teens over a personal conflict. School staff quickly intervened and the suspects fled the area. During the incident, it is believed one individual dropped an imitation air-soft handgun as it was located by staff members in the bushes. Police were called and officers attended the scene, seized the air-soft hand gun and began their investigation.
On Monday June 3, at approximately 11:30 am, a lone teen was approached by a group of teens on the same school grounds and allegedly threatened and assaulted in relation to the incident that occurred on Friday. This incident was not reported to police nor the school.
Both the Surrey School District and Surrey RCMP became aware of this incident the following day after being advised by a third party of a social media post about the incident.
The Surrey RCMP Youth Unit investigated both matters in collaboration with the Surrey School District. The involved parties have now been identified. Together, with their parents, participants have agreed to further deal with these matters by way of alternate measures under the Youth and Criminal Justice Act, through the Surrey School District Safe Schools programs and by the Surrey RCMP’s Restorative Justice and Youth Intervention programs.
“Our Restorative Justice program creates accountability of those involved in crime to repair the harm caused by their actions and to recognize the hurt it caused to an individual and community.” says Inspector Wendy Mehat, Community Support and Safety Officer, “This process supports our youth by providing alternative measures to address their actions instead of the formal court process and criminal justice system.”
The Surrey School District has initiated disciplinary proceedings, which are not expected to conclude before the end of the school year. In the meantime, none of the students will return to Fraser Heights this school year and an alternative education program has been put in place for them.
“Our entire school community has been affected and is deeply concerned about the impact of this incident on our student,” says Fraser Heights Secondary principal Rick Breen. “The school has been working with the victim’s family to provide support for the teen going forward.”
Anyone with information which may assist with this investigation is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or contact Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca