Canadian Armed Forces member supervising air cadets on poppy drive allegedly attacked by woman and boy in Hamilton
· Toronto Sun
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A Canadian Armed Forces member suffered serious injuries after he was allegedly attacked while supervising two air cadets selling poppies in Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.
Hamilton Police said a 12-year-old boy and a 48-year-old woman were arrested and charged after a 59-year-old man supervising the air cadets was assaulted at a Mandarin restaurant at The Centre on Barton.
According to cops, the incident was sparked by the 12-year-old and another 11-year-old boy, who approached the air cadets outside the restaurant and blew a loud air horn directly into their ears.
When the man confronted the youths inside the restaurant, a struggle ensued, and a female bystander jumped in and assaulted the man, causing him to fall to the ground, police said.
The 12-year-old allegedly hit the victim several times before leaving the restaurant, while the woman left the scene before cops arrived.
Hamilton police Const. Trevor McKenna told the Hamilton Spectator that the woman tripped the man, and one of the boys sucker-punched and stomped on him.
The 11-year-old was too young to be charged with a criminal offence, Hamilton Police spokesperson Jackie Penman told the Sun, adding that police had reviewed surveillance footage and determined that he was “not involved on the same level” as the 12-year-old.
Man hospitalized with ‘life-altering’ injuries
Officers at the scene found the victim suffering from serious injuries. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital.
“His injuries are considered life-altering,” police said in a news release.
According to a CBC report, the injured man is a commanding officer of the local air cadet squadron.
A spokesperson for the Department of National Defence confirmed that a Canadian Armed Forces member was injured in the incident.
“The well-being of everyone involved in the Cadet Program remains our priority, and we are focused on supporting the affected member and their family in their recovery at this time,” DND spokesperson Suzanne Lalande said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the efforts of police and first responders, and will review this incident and take appropriate follow-on action as required,” she added.
The two alleged youth attackers were located by cops following another unrelated disturbance at a nearby store.
Police said the 12-year-old was charged with assault level one and aggravated assault. The boy’s name can’t be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The woman was arrested Monday morning and was charged with aggravated assault. Police did not release the woman’s name.
Every year, members of Royal Canadian Air Cadets squadrons across Canada volunteer their time to distribute poppies and collect donations during the Legion’s poppy campaign.
The funds raised from the poppy drive go towards supporting Canadian military veterans, active service members and their families by providing financial assistance in areas such as veterans’ housing, food, medical equipment, and local support programs.