B.C. police arrest 7 teens after attack on youth filmed, posted online

A police officer in Sooke, B.C., on April 14, 2022. (CTV News)

Mounties on Vancouver Island say seven teenagers have been arrested and are facing criminal charges after a serious assault on another youth earlier this summer.

The victim’s family contacted police on July 3 after the youth reported being “severely assaulted by a group of teens” the previous night near the 6660 block of Goodmere Road in Sooke, police said in a statement Friday.

The victim required medical care following the assault, which was filmed and shared on social media.

“Investigators gathered evidence which led to the identification of seven youth who participated in the assault,” the statement said.

Authorities obtained warrants for the suspects, who have all been arrested, according to the Sooke RCMP.

“We are aware of concerns from parents regarding the arrest of one youth near school grounds” said Staff-Sgt. Greg Willcocks, commander of the Sooke RCMP detachment, in the statement. “We are taking the allegations of this assault very seriously.”

The identities of the suspects are protected from publication by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

“No further details can be provided,” police said. “Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241.”