An 11-year-old boy was stabbed inside an Edmonton McDonald’s. A 12-year-old faces charges
12-Year-Old Boy Charged with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Weapon
Last week, the Edmonton police charged a 12-year-old boy with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon following an investigation into the stabbing of an 11-year-old boy inside a McDonald’s restaurant. The incident took place near 153rd Avenue and Castle Downs Road, where patrol officers from Edmonton Police Services’ northwest branch responded to the reported stabbing at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Friday. EPS spokesperson Carolin Maran provided details of the incident to CBC News on Wednesday.
According to Maran, the police were informed that the stabbing occurred during a confrontation involving five boys, aged between nine and 12. The suspects fled the scene after the stabbing took place. The 11-year-old victim was treated by paramedics and transported to a hospital for serious injuries. Fortunately, he is currently in stable condition, as confirmed by Maran and Alberta Health Services spokesperson Kerry Williamson.
Following the investigation, all individuals involved in the altercation were identified by the authorities. The 12-year-old suspect, who was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon, has been released on an undertaking. Amy Lind, a senior associate with Liberty Law, expressed that cases involving such young offenders are uncommon.
Lind mentioned that while incidents involving knives are becoming more prevalent, the involvement of such young individuals is extremely rare. In such cases, young offenders are sentenced under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which protects their identities. Lind added that although a 12-year-old could potentially face a jail sentence, she believes that a more rehabilitative approach would be more suitable in this particular case.
As per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, young offenders must be provided with the least restrictive sentence that is likely to lead to their rehabilitation. Lind emphasized that the understanding of actions and consequences differs significantly between a 12-year-old and a 35-year-old. Maran stated that the incident was not believed to be random, although she later clarified that the suspect youths and the victim were not acquainted.
Maran further mentioned that no additional charges are anticipated at this time. The unique circumstances surrounding this case serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in dealing with juvenile offenders and the importance of rehabilitation in the youth justice system.
