By Charles Lefebvre

Multiple charges laid following Kin Coulee Park disturbances

Jun 27, 2019 | 4:58 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —Medicine Hat Police have charged 13 youth and one adult in connection with a pair of violent disturbances at Kin Coulee Park this month.

The disturbances occurred on June 14 and June 21.

“Police had responded to an incident, a large disturbance involving youth fighting on the night of June 14,” said Staff Sgt. Chad Holt with the police service’s Major Crimes Unit. “That night, police had dealt with the situation and felt it was de-escalated, and were continuing the investigation.”

On June 21, at approximately 9 p.m., police responded to a second altercation in Kin Coulee Park, which police allege was a retaliation for the June 14 altercation, and allegedly involved youth from the first incident.

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Holt says between the two incidents, there was a lot of violence and several injuries.

“Six of the youths were injured and required medical treatment at the hospital, and three actually required surgery,” he said, noting the injuries were sustained from weapons allegedly used in the altercation.

A total of 25 criminal charges have been laid in connection with the incidents including assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public and wearing a disguise during the commission of an offence.

The youth cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and Holt says the adult male is still awaiting charges to be sworn against him. Arrests occurred on Wednesday.

Holt says the youth charged have appeared before a Justice of the Peace to impose conditions. Among them, those charged will have restricted access to parks in the city, only allowed to go if accompanied by a parent.

He says the restriction is to help prevent further incidents.

“We want people to be able to use the parks freely for public and peaceful use, and we don’t want innocent bystanders to have to be part of or brought into any of these incidents,” Holt said.

The investigation continues, and Holt says more charges could be laid.