An 18-year-old has been arrested in an alleged assault with a "blunt force weapon" that left a New Westminster Secondary School student with serious injuries yesterday.
The New Westminster Police Department was called to the school on Wednesday afternoon (April 27) for reports of an assault, according to an NWPD press release.
An email from the school yesterday confirmed there had been an "altercation" in the parking lot.
Officers found a 16-year-old student receiving medical treatment from school staff. The youth was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries that included a "significant laceration to his head" and suspected concussion and broken arm, police say.
An 18-year-old male suspect has been arrested. Police say it appears the attack was not random, and the victim and suspect are known to one another.
Investigators are now working with the victim and witnesses to determine what led to the assault. Police are also seeking additional witnesses and are requesting CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area of NWSS between noon and 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
The assault is believed to be related to an incident that happened nearby, about 30 minutes earlier. At that point, members of the NWPD's gang suppression unit found two groups of males in the 700-block of Sixth Street — a block away from the high school — "who appeared to be preparing to have a physical altercation," the release says.
Gang unit members intervened, seizing a baton and a replica handgun in the process.
"This is a very disturbing incident," said NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Sanjay Kumar in the release. "Schools are supposed to be places where students feel safe. Our investigators will do everything they can to ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated and those responsible are held accountable."
Anyone who witnessed the event or who has information or video footage to share is asked to contact the NWPD's non-emergency line at 604-525-5411.
New Westminster Secondary School has offered counselling to anyone impacted by the incident who may need additional support.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca.
