Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Monday, Wednesday, June 25, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A 32-year-old Gjoa Haven man was assaulted by a group of men outside the Raven nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for injuries to his head and face. The attack began outside the club as the man was surrounded by a group of unknown men.

"He had gone outside the Raven for a cigarette and the next thing he knew he was being punched," said RCMP Const. Roxanne Dreilich.

The assault continued along 48 Street as the man attempted to flee, ending near Boston Pizza.

"Some witnesses were on scene in a vehicle and that sort of caused the group to stop and disperse because they realized they were being observed," said Dreilich.

She said unprovoked assaults by groups are not a common occurrence in Yellowknife. As of late Monday, police had no idea why the man was targeted, she said.

The man was treated for his injuries and released from hospital the next day.

The group of attackers are described as five to seven aboriginal males in their 20s and 30s. The main aggressor was described as a slender male between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, in his 20s, wearing a black cap, black sweater and jeans.

RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact the Yellowknife RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers.