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BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Behchoko celebrated its high school graduation at the end of last month.

This screen capture is from a video taken in Behchoko over the weekend of May 25 and 26. It was an unusually violent weekend in Behchoko, with at least four assaults on five victims in less than 25 hours. - photo courtesy of Facebook

However, in the North Slave hamlet, some people in the community celebrated the milestone violently.

In a series of videos that were shared over social media - three of which were seen by News/North - groups of young people are seen fighting and yelling at each other.

In one video, which was shot inside a restaurant, a young man picks up one of the establishment's chairs and hits another young man over the head with it. Next the videographer focuses on the victim, who is backed into a corner being elbowed in the head repeatedly.

In another video shot on the street, after an initial shoving match, a young woman walks up to a young man being held by others and kicks him in the head.

Several of the young people captured on video were holding cans of beer, and comments on the Facebook page where the videos were posted suggest the young man was hit in the head with the chair over a mickey of alcohol. Some are still wearing jackets and dresses, suggesting they were celebrating their grad.

RCMP Cpl. Barry Ledoux did not go so far as to partner the rash of violence in Behchoko over the weekend to the graduation. Nonetheless, the 10 RCMP officers stationed in the hamlet had their hands full.

"It was a busy weekend, the combination of nice weather, graduation, the influx of people into the community - there was a whole combination of factors that may have contributed," he said.

Within 25 hours, from May 26 to 27, RCMP responded to four separate assaults involving five victims.

At about 6:45 a.m. on May 26, an adult male victim was allegedly assaulted with a blunt object. Police took him to the Behchoko Health Centre where he was treated for his injuries. No arrests have been made as of press deadline.

At about 7:20 a.m., police received another report of an assault. A 23-year-old man required medical treatment for injuries to his head caused by a blunt object. The second victim, a 15-year-old girl, did not require medical attention. Police continue to investigate this matter.

At about 2:30 p.m. the same day, an 18-year-old man required medical attention after an assault. In this incident, a 30-year-old Behchoko man was arrested and charged will assault causing bodily harm.

The last assault reported from the weekend took place at about 7:30 a.m. on May 27, when a 17-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted with a blunt object. Police were called to the scene as the assault was ongoing and a 24-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested and charged with assault with a weapon.

The victim was treated at the health centre for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in the first two cases where no arrests have been made. Ledoux asked anyone who may have seen anything or have any information, to contact the Behchoko police detachment or Crime Stoppers.

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