26-06-2025
18-year-old arrested for assaulting middle school student on New Westminster bus, police say
A Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer is seen in this undated image. (Metro Vancouver Transit Police/Facebook)
An 18-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old middle school student on a Metro Vancouver bus.
The incident occurred on June 19 in New Westminster, according to a news release from Metro Vancouver Transit Police.
Around 3:30 that afternoon, the victim boarded a bus on 8th Avenue with a group of other students, police said, adding that the 13-year-old was headed home from school.
'A few stops later, the student stood up to exit the bus and accidentally bumped an 18-year-old man with his backpack,' the MVTP statement reads.
'The man then allegedly grabbed the student by the throat and punched them multiple times. Both the suspect and the student departed the bus, at different stops.'
Police said they received 'multiple phone calls and text messages' reporting the incident, and were soon able to identify the suspect. He was arrested on June 20 and has since been released with conditions.
MVTP did not name the suspect, and there are no online court records related to the police file number, indicating that charges have not yet been laid.
'Transit police would like to thank the young witnesses who came forward, supported by their parents, to share their information with officers,' said Const. Amanda Steed, in the release.
'We understand that it can be difficult to recount something deeply upsetting that a person has experienced or witnessed, and would like to commend these students for finding the courage to do so.'
Transit police said they 'continue to work closely with school administration' to address concerns about student safety on transit.
They asked anyone with information about the June 19 assault who has not yet spoken to investigators to call 604-515-8300, or text 87-77-77.
