Police in Central Saanich are searching for a possible suspect vehicle after a student was assaulted by a group of masked individuals at Stelly’s Secondary School on Friday.
The male student was approached by a small group, who were wearing ski masks, in the school parking lot at around 11:20 a.m. and was then assaulted, according to officials.
The victim was struck with a mallet and a knife was present at the scene as well, according to Central Saanich Police Sgt. Paul Brailey.
The attackers left school grounds and the student was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries, including facial injuries that required stitches, according to police.
The student is home with his parents now and will be fine, though he’s likely shaken up, said district superintendent Dave Eberwein.
“It’s unsettling for everybody and it’d be frightening for students, and I’m sure some families are concerned,” he told CHEK News. “But I can reassure them that our process and protocols worked as they should.”
The incident was immediately reported to police, who are now investigating and attempting to identify the group. Eberwein said they may have been students from other schools or community members but they are not believed to be Stelly’s students.
Central Saanich Police issued a tweet Saturday asking for any witnesses of the assault or those who may have dashcam video to come forward. They added the suspects are believed to be linked to an older-model black BMW sedan with shiny rims.
“We believe the vehicle was probably stationary along Stelly’s between the Saanich Fairgrounds and Wallace Drive,” Brailey said.
WITNESS APPEAL: CSPS are investigating an assault at Stellys High School on Friday, June 10 around 11:20a.m. The suspects are believed to be associated to an older black BMW sedan. Please contact us or upload dashcam/media here https://t.co/ISOnMoC4xz File 22-1635 ^ns #csaan pic.twitter.com/XwpWCZJmVU
— cspoliceservice (@cspoliceservice) June 11, 2022
Police are also asking anyone who may have seen anything about the attack on social media to come forward, adding they don’t believe the general public is at risk and this was “likely an isolated incident between a group of individuals.”
Meanwhile, the school says additional support is in place for Stelly’s students or staff who may be affected by the incident and want to discuss it with someone.
Anyone with information on the assault is asked to contact Central Saanich Police at 250-652-4441 or submit evidence on their website.
Jeff Lawrence
