A violent weekend incident in North Battleford has left the city shaken, and has residents asking questions.
After a 16-year-old boy was beaten nearly to death Saturday night some residents are starting to question if they feel safe in their own community.
One of the victims, a 14-year-old boy, talked to CTV anonymously. He says last Saturday night started out as average night in North Battleford, and ended with his friend being taken to hospital.
He says the trouble started when they were hanging out at 7-Eleven, and three drunk boys showed up looking to start a fight. "We just didn't answer them, we just ignored them when we were at 7-Eleven. Then we started walking away."
The boy says the group caught up with them on 110th Street. The boys sprayed bear mace on the two friends, but the 14-year-old was able to run away. Unfortunately for his friend, he couldn't get away, and was severely beaten.
Sgt. Neil Tremblay of the RCMP says when police arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy in rough shape. "He was conscious, but severely injured and suffered from head injuries. He was not coherent and was transported to hospital."
He is now recovering at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Police have charged a 15-year-old and 17-year-old with aggravated assault. They are still looking for a third boy, a 16-year-old.
The RCMP say the accused were known to police. They have created a special task force to monitor high risk youth in the city.
"We're always looking for new ways to address these issues and because of the seriousness of this issue we are very concerned and we're going to look at taking whatever steps we can going forward," says Tremblay.
Our 14-year-old witness says young people in North Battleford know this kind of violence act isn't an isolated incident.
"I don't feel safe and you don't want that when you're walking around."
