(St. John’s, NL), September, 2018 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Major Crime Unit has made an arrest in connection with an assault that occurred at a St. John’s high school on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at approximately 10:45 a.m., staff at Prince of Whales Collegiate discovered an altercation involving a group of students outside on school property and notified police. Officers with RNC’s Operational Patrol Services Division as well as Criminal Investigation Division arrived and discovered that several students had been sprayed with an aerosol spray, which we believe to have been bear spray.

Paramedics with Eastern Health were also called to the school and treated a number of students in connection with the incident. At least 20 students were exposed to the bear spray when it was discharged at an individual by another student. Several students were also conveyed by paramedics to the Janeway for further medical attention.

Yesterday afternoon, investigators with the RNC Major Crime Unit arrested a 16-year-old male youth in connection with the assault. The boy was held at the Youth Remand Center overnight to appear at Provincial Court in St. John’s and has been charged with Assault with a Weapon and Breaching Court Orders.

This investigation is ongoing and investigators are continuing to seek witnesses to this altercation as well as anyone who may have video of the incident. Anyone who has information to call the RNC at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can now provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at: www.nlcrimestoppers.com.

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File # 2018-54892

Cst. Geoffrey G. Higdon #819
Media Relations / Social Media Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
1 Fort Townshend, St. John’s, NL, A1C-2G2
Twitter: @RNC_PoliceNL
Facebook: RoyalNewfoundlandConstabulary
709-729-8658