Edmonton, Canada – Two young girls, both aged 12 at the time of their arrest, have admitted their involvement in a brutal assault on a 55-year-old woman at the Coliseum station of Edmonton’s Light Rail Transit (LRT). The incident, which occurred on November 26, 2023, resulted in serious injuries for the victim, including significant damage to her face and head, along with a concussion.
In subsequent court proceedings held in October and November, the accused entered guilty pleas to the lesser charge of assault causing bodily harm. Initially facing aggravated assault charges, the shift to a less severe charge followed discussions in court. Due to their age, the identities of the two girls remain confidential in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which protects the anonymity of individuals under the age of 18 involved in criminal cases.
Details of the unsettling event were disclosed in court, where it was revealed that the violent outbreak followed a brief verbal altercation between one of the girls and the victim, who was seated at the transit station. Court records indicated the altercation escalated rapidly when the woman defensively raised her arm, prompting both girls to strike her repeatedly in the face.
The assault intensified as one girl forcibly moved the woman from the bench to the ground and, along with her associate, commenced stomping on her multiple times. Although the victim attempted to defend herself and push the attackers away, the brutal beating only ceased when an onlooker intervened to stop one of the girls. Despite this, the other girl returned to continue the attack, by which point the woman had stopped moving.
It was noted during the court proceedings that one of the attackers was heavily intoxicated during the incident, which markedly influenced her behavior as compared to her sober state.
The local police apprehended the young offenders near the scene shortly after the assault took place. Both girls were reportedly under the care of provincial intervention services at the time, hinting at possible pre-existing issues related to their social environments or personal lives.
The case has brought attention to the legal and social mechanisms in place for dealing with juvenile offenders in Canada. The age of criminal responsibility is set at 12, which means children below this age cannot be charged with a crime. This incident has sparked discussions on the adequacy and effectiveness of the support systems for at-risk youth and the procedures followed when they are involved in criminal activities.
The sentencing for the two girls is scheduled for January, where the court will determine the appropriate measure of juvenile justice. This case not only highlights the challenges within the juvenile justice system but also raises questions about societal responsibilities in preventing such violent behaviors and adequately supporting young individuals in distress.
This incident has undoubtedly shaken the community and prompted deeper inquiries into how young offenders are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, as well as the preventive measures that can be put in place to deter such violent incidents in the future.