Police investigating violent attack involving teens at Surrey restaurant
The Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating a violent incident caught on video involving a group of teens at a restaurant in the city.
The footage shows a group of youths surrounding a man eating at a restaurant in the Sullivan Heights neighbourhood. One of the teens can be seen attacking the man with a chair and punching him.
The crowd behind him can be heard yelling, and someone even tells the young person hitting the man to “chill.”
SPS told Daily Hive it is aware of the altercation that occurred on Thursday, February 6.
“As soon as we became aware of the incident, two of our SPS Youth Officers were immediately assigned to investigate,” said the police department.
SPS said it is working with the Surrey school district and has conducted interviews with several of the youth involved and witnesses.
Surrey Schools told Daily Hive via email that it is also aware of the video and the incident.
“The safety of our students and school community is our top priority. Surrey Schools does not condone or tolerate any acts of violence against others,” said the district.
It added that it doesn’t share information about students in the district including disciplinary action and is taking the immediate steps of supporting SPS in its investigation and working with impacted students and their families.
SPS said there have been no arrests or charges so far in the investigation.
“Although some witnesses initially indicated that the individual did not appear injured or request assistance when he left the restaurant, we cannot verify the degree of injuries sustained,” said SPS.
“We have been told by witnesses that there was an incident or exchange prior to what the video captured. This incident that allegedly happened prior to what is seen on camera, and the altercation that is captured on camera, is now under investigation.”
SPS said that there were a number of people present at the time of the altercation and is working on following up with them.
“It is premature to state what the possible repercussions for those involved could be, as that is largely dependent on the outcome of the investigation and if Crown Counsel opts to lay charges should it get to that point,” stated Surrey Police.