‘Shocked and scared': Kelowna boys assaulted at bus stop
'He punched me,' Yilmaz said. 'Every time I touch it, I feel a sharp pain.'
Halil, who is only 11 years old, and his 12-year old friend Finley Vandenhoorn, had just finished a drop-in youth group activity session.
They walked over to the nearby bus stop on Springfield Road near Gordon Drive where the pair say they were assaulted by a man, who appeared to be more than twice their age.
'Shocked. I was really shocked and scared,' Yilmaz said.
2:28
Kelowna bus driver assaulted
The boys said it all started after they jokingly asked a woman, believed to be in her mid-20s and also waiting for the bus, for her phone number.
Story continues below advertisement
Shortly after, a man, believed to be the woman's boyfriend, showed up.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'He came up to me and then kicked me and then I tried grabbing my phone, running and calling the police,' Vandenhoorn said. 'And then I looked back and he was on top of Halil.'
Yilmaz said the man pushed him to the ground and punched him.
The pair said he also took photos of them before demanding they go away.
That's when they were able to call police and then their parents.
'He was crying on the phone,' said Reyhan Kutsal, Halil's mom. 'He said, 'Mom, somebody beat me up at the bus stop,' and then I was shocked.'
Kutsal told Global News her son had just started riding the bus on his own this summer.
'I always want to drive him but he's at that age, I don't know, he always wants to take a bus with his friends but now he doesn't want to after what happened to him,' Kutsal said. 'I don't want him to take the bus anymore, I think. You know, he's too young still.'
1:56
Kelowna woman recovering from stabbing after random home invasion
While RCMP confirmed they are investigating the incident, they would not elaborate any further.
Story continues below advertisement
'As this investigation involves a youth and remains ongoing, I'm unable to provide any comment at this time,' stated Sgt. Laura Pollock in an email to Global News.
According to the boys, the suspect had distinct features, including blonde hair streaks at the front of his face, pierced ears and sleeve tattoos on his left arm, which included an eye in a spider web.
The families of the boys are hoping police are able to track the suspect down.
'This person should be caught so he doesn't do it to any other kids,' Kutsal said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
20 minutes ago
- CTV News
Moncton man charged after RCMP officer stabbed
Moncton man charged after RCMP officer stabbed A 35-year-old man is facing charges, including attempted murder, after a police officer was stabbed in Moncton, N.B., last Thursday.
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Human remains found in remote area of Ontario's Bruce Peninsula: police
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Provincial police say they are investigating after human remains were found in a remote area of the Bruce Peninsula. Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified Thursday after archeologists working in the area west of Parry Sound across the Georgian Bay came across the remains. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy They say officers consulted with forensic experts and a coroner and returned to the scene on Friday to begin a detailed investigation. OPP say the remains have been collected and taken for further analysis and no additional remains were found. Police say the investigation is now in the hands of the coroner's office with support from the OPP. They ask anyone with information about the investigation to contact Grey Bruce OPP.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Former Mountie made unlawful arrest, N.S. judge rules
A retired Nova Scotia RCMP constable has been found liable for an unlawful arrest seven years ago of a man who sued the officer and the force after he said the Mountie injured his shoulder. In a decision released last week, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Ann Smith found Const. Daniel MacDonald, who retired from the force in 2023, did not have lawful grounds to arrest Sean Naugle in June 2018. On June 3, 2018, MacDonald was responding to a 911 call about a fight at a home in Pictou County. He was the first police officer to arrive on the scene and placed one of the fighters under arrest. In the course of that arrest, MacDonald learned the man had concealed an axe in a nearby car. It was as he approached that car that MacDonald encountered Naugle. What happened between them was at the root of the legal dispute. MacDonald alleged that Naugle was obstructing his efforts to search the car for weapons and he placed him under arrest. Naugle said the arrest violated his Charter rights. Excessive force? In her decision, Smith said she had to determine whether MacDonald had lawful grounds to make the arrest and whether he used excessive force. In addition to the civil lawsuit, Naugle also filed a formal complaint with the RCMP, which, according to the court decision, investigated the incident but took no further action. The investigating officer was one of the witnesses in the civil hearing, which was held in late January of this year. Smith said she found the investigating officer, Cpl. Ronald Bryce, to be a credible witness, in part because he did not go out of his way to defend MacDonald's actions. One example cited by the judge was Bryce questioning MacDonald's search for weapons. Bryce said he found it strange that MacDonald started searching in the front of the vehicle when the axe was reported to be concealed under a blanket in the trunk. The search eventually turned up both the axe and a replica handgun. Bryce also admitted under cross-examination by Naugle's lawyer that MacDonald may not have been truthful when he told the corporal that Naugle had shoved him prior to the arrest. 'Fabricated' portion of evidence The judge was also skeptical of MacDonald's account of when and where he spotted weapons in the car. "When considering the totality of the evidence on this point, in my view, Cst. MacDonald's evidence that he viewed weapons in the rear of the vehicle prior to the search does not accord with the 'preponderance of probabilities,'" Smith wrote. "Considering the evidence before the court, I conclude that Cst. MacDonald fabricated this portion of his evidence to justify and bolster his grounds for arresting Mr. Naugle." The judge found MacDonald could not have spotted the weapons because they were concealed under a blanket. She also found Naugle was shouting about the legality of the search from about three metres away from the constable and so he did not obstruct him. The judge found MacDonald lacked "probable and reasonable grounds" for arresting Naugle, and "is liable for tortious battery and the Charter breaches claimed." "This case really highlights why the civil justice system is essential," said lawyer Mike Dull, who represented Naugle in his civil suit. "You know, in this case, our court carefully examined all the evidence, even when it comes to the evidence of a police officer, and after doing that came to the conclusion that the police officer's version of events was not credible." Dull said an agreement was made before the judge's decision that if Naugle was successful, he would be paid compensation. However, Dull said the amount of that compensation is confidential. In a statement, the RCMP said it is still studying the court decision and has 25 days to decide whether it might appeal.
