A 15-year-old boy is facing an assault charge after police say a pre-arranged fight involving multiple masked teens broke out near a Barrie high school.
Officers were called to Bear Creek Secondary School around lunch period on Tuesday, after staff reported a group of masked suspects had gathered on school property for what investigators believe was a planned fight.
By the time Barrie police arrived at the school on Red Oak Drive, several boys had left the property.
Police say they later learned the group had met in a wooded area nearby, where the confrontation took place. Investigators also received insight that one of the members may have been carrying a weapon described as a sheathed machete.
“It’s always concerning when a call involving a weapon occurs near a school,” says Barrie Police Sergeant Aaron Geertsema.
A 17-year-old boy from Barrie sustained minor injuries during the altercation and opted out of medical treatment.
As a result, police arrested a 15-year-old, who has since been charged with assault. Authorities are still working to gather information about the other suspects involved, including the person believed to have been carrying the machete.
“We’re not sure of the identity of the person who was who was in possession of that,” continues Geertsema.
The incident appears to be isolated and police stress there is no ongoing risk to the public.
“There’s definitely people out there with information that can identify the perpetrators that are involved in this,” says Geertsema.
