A 14-year-old has been charged following a targeted and violent assault on a vulnerable individual in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
South Simcoe Police say the investigation began several weeks ago after a series of incidents on social media platforms, including Snapchat, in which a person with a disability was allegedly harassed, bullied, and targeted by a group of youths. The case escalated after a video circulated online showing the victim being lured to a secluded area and subjected to repeated acts of violence while the incident was recorded and shared.
Police say the accused, a youth from York Region, turned themselves in on Tuesday, April 7th and is now facing multiple counts of assault under the Criminal Code of Canada. The individual has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identity of the accused cannot be released.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police say further arrests and charges may follow, while also urging parents and guardians to speak with children about responsible social media use and the consequences of violent or harmful behaviour.
