RNC charges 2 teens with assault after 14-year-old student seriously injured in Corner Brook
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was called to Corner Brook Intermediate on Thursday after a report of a disturbance. A 14-year-old male student had been seriously injured in an assault, say police. (Colleen Connors/CBC)
Police have laid charges against two teenagers after a student at a Corner Brook school was seriously injured inside the school Thursday morning.
Police were called to Corner Brook Intermediate just after 9:30 Thursday morning, after a 14-year-old male student at the school was injured and had to be taken to hospital. The RNC says the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
RNC officers apprehended two young people and took them into custody.
As a result, a 15-year-old male youth faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm, and a 14-year-old female youth faces a charge of assault.
'A violent event'
RNC spokesperson Const. James Cadigan would not give further details about the nature of the assault or the extent of the student's injuries.
But Cadigan said the incident goes much further than bullying.
"This is a violent event. We talk a lot about what goes on in our schools in terms of bullying and trying to eliminate bullying. But this is not bullying. This is a violent act and a criminal offence," said Cadigan.
Investigation continues
Cadigan said the RNC is still gathering information about the incident at Corner Brook Intermediate and asked anyone with anything to report about what happened to get in touch with police or Crime Stoppers.
He wouldn't say how common incidents of violence in schools are in Newfoundland and Labrador, but he noted there have been reports of such incidents on the northeast Avalon Peninsula.
An attack in March 2023 on the front door step of Prince of Wales Collegiate in St. John's resulted in a high school student suffering a head injury and five teens, ranging in age from 14 to 18, facing charges. Two of them were sentenced in provincial court in mid-January.
Cadigan said it's important for parents to speak with their children and remind them consent is required to even touch or put hands on another person.
He also said it's important for parents to realize that incidents like the one at Corner Brook Intermediate can have a traumatic effect, and young people and even adults may need to seek help to protect their mental health.
The two youths who were charged have been released to appear in provincial court at a later date.
NLSchools did not agree to an interview with CBC News, however Department of Education spokesperson Lynn Robinson said in a statement that the department takes the safety of all students, teachers and staff very seriously, but could not comment further due to privacy reasons.
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