Mason, 34, says he was jumped by five people behind the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre Monday night.

He's still recovering from the beating. So is Jason Madsen, 27, who was also beaten up that night. Madsen was hospitalized for a broken nose and other facial injuries following his beating.

Mason's mother, Sandra, is concerned that gangs of young people are beating people up for no reason.

"This town's teenagers (have) gone berserk," she said. "I think the city's getting pretty dangerous to walk in at night."

She said the public needs to know what's happening. "They're beating people and robbing them," she said. "They could have been killed."

But Staff Sgt. Dave Grundy said that he isn't aware of anyone being robbed by a gang of people. "To my knowledge, we haven't had anyone robbed," he said. "And I wouldn't go as far to say they're gangs -- four or five people don't make a gang. Basically, they're all cowards."

Grundy did say, however, that more people are involved in fights these days, and the fights are happening more frequently.

"We've had five (jumpings) reported in the last six or seven months," he said.

Tuesday's incident is the second in less than a week. A man was jumped by four people outside the Gold Range Friday night. He was treated for minor injuries.

A Yellowknife man has been charged with assault with a weapon in connection with Tuesday's beating behind the Friendship Centre. He is scheduled to appear in territorial court August 19.