By Ian Holmes

Parents arrested after students allegedly assaulted in Nanaimo

Dec 9, 2016 | 11:39 AM

NANAIMO — Parents of a Wellington Secondary School student were arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting several students near the school.

The alleged altercation happened in the parking lot outside the Subway restaurant on Departure Bay Road near Wellingon Secondary at about 12:30 p.m., according to Nanaimo RCMP.

RCMP Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong says to her knowledge, none of the students received serious injuries or medical treatment. A female student involved tells NanaimoNewsNOW that she has a bruise on her cheek and large cut on her knee as a result of the altercation. The student didn’t wish to elaborate any further at this time.

Armstrong says it’s unclear what led to the incident, which originated in the Subway beside the school, then spilled into the parking lot, after staff told the group to leave.

“While they were out there (parking lot) the coversation took on a more heated tone, and as a result, an altercation took place between the students and the parents,” said Armstrong.

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She says it’s not known at this time what the connection is between the husband and wife and the students involved.

Armstrong says charges of assault are possible against the couple.

“The investigaiton is still in its infancy so we need to do a more thorough investigation before a report goes to Crown Counsel.”

Video of the incident obtained by NanaimoNewsNOW shows the parents in question and a group of 15-20 students in the Subway parking lot.

The 1:24 length video shows a female student grappling with an adult female, then an adult male pries the girl away and tosses her to the ground. A crowd of students intervene and shout at the parents. The physical encounter is brief.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools assistant supt. of secondary schools Scott Saywell says their office got word of the incident right away.

“Mr. Lintott, the principal there, was on the scene immediately and he let us know and RCMP were called,” Saywell said.

Saywell says the school district will help piece together what led to the altercation.

“We’ll be working with the RCMP and investigating with our students to discern what were the circumstances around the event.” 

He says counselling will be offered to the students involved.