An arrest has been made in the violent and disturbing beating of a 16-year-old girl in Barrie, Ont., on Friday. Barrie police charged a 15-year-old girl with the assault that occurred on Lakeshore Drive and Victoria Street around 10 p.m., as thousands converged on the city for the opening night of Kempenfest. The victim suffered a concussion, chipped tooth and multiple bruises from the pummeling. She was treated and released from hospital. Police have arrested the 15-year-old teen, who now faces assault charges, reads a news release issued Wednesday. They are still hoping one more suspect will turn herself in. Police are also encouraging people who witnessed the violent attack to come forward. Through the investigation, police learned of a video circulating on social media of the assault. Barrie police say they are deeply concerned, not only by the violent nature of the assault, but also by the actions of those who witnessed it. Choose compassion over clicks: police Several of the people crowded around as the beating took place were cheering, egging on the aggressors, and recording the assault on their cellphones. A police statement read, “In moments of crisis, choosing compassion over clicks can make a critical difference.” Barrie police remind the public and media partners that under the YCJA, it is a serious offence to publish, post, or share identifying details about a young offender or any witnesses or victims under the age of 18. These restrictions apply to social media, digital publications, and broadcasting. ‘Passed out like a rag doll’ The girl’s mother, who spoke anonymously with CTV News, said her daughter is traumatized and scared of retribution after the video of the beating was posted online and viewed across social media. “She was completely passed out like a rag doll on the cement, and they kept kicking her and everyone is standing by watching and laughing and cheering and videotaping,” she said. “Not one person stepped in.” Finally, a group of men can be seen in the video coming to the teen’s aid as the crowd dispersed. By that time, the teen was face down on the ground, seemingly unconscious. The mother said her daughter told her the fight broke out over her throwing a glass jar. “The punishment didn’t fit the crime,” said the teen’s mother. “She didn’t need to get attacked to the point of unconsciousness.” With files from Mike Arsalides
