Two New West teens have been arrested in connection to stabbings on Columbia Street that sent two people to hospital.
Around 10 p.m. on Jan. 17, the New Westminster Police Department received numerous calls about a fight between nine people at the intersection of Fourth and Columbia streets. During the fight, police say four people were assaulted, with two of them being stabbed.
According to a NWPD press release, the department’s major crime unit and patrol officers gathered evidence and soon identified two 15-year-old suspects. With the assistance of the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team and the NWPD’s street crime unit, the youth were later arrested.
The teens are scheduled to appear in court on May 2.
“A number of different specialty units worked together to identify and arrest these two suspects,” said NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Sanjay Kumar. “We’d also like to extend our appreciation to the citizens of New Westminster who worked with us in this investigation. Working together is the most effective way to maintain community safety.”
New Westminster police are recommending charges of assault causing bodily harm and possession of a weapon against the two local youths.
At the time of the incident, police said it appeared that two groups of youths had initially met at Westminster Pier Park. When police arrived at the corner of Fourth and Columbia streets, the other people who had been involved in the fight had fled the scene. The two victims, who were in stable condition, were transported to hospital.
