An 11-year-old boy was stabbed at an Edmonton McDonald’s. 12-year-old boy faces charges

Edmonton police have charged a 12-year-old boy with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon after investigating the stabbing of an 11-year-old boy at a McDonald’s restaurant last week.

Patrol officers from the Edmonton Police Service’s northwest branch responded to a reported stabbing near 153rd Street and Castle Downs Road around 3:15 Friday afternoon, EPS spokeswoman Carolin Maran told CBC News on Wednesday.

Police were told the stabbing occurred during an argument involving five boys aged between 9 and 12. The suspects fled the scene after the stabbing.

Maran said paramedics treated the seriously injured 11-year-old boy and took him to the hospital, where his condition was stable.

Alberta Health Services spokesperson Kerry Williamson confirmed EMS arrived on scene at 3:23 p.m. and took a juvenile to hospital in a stable, non-life-threatening condition.

Investigators have since identified all the teenagers involved. Maran said that the 12-year-old suspect accused was released on commitment.

Amy Lind, a senior associate at Liberty Law, said such cases were very unusual.

“Knives are showing up a little more, but it’s extremely rare for a teenager that young to be involved,” he said.

Young offenders are punished under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which protects their identities.

Lind said it was possible for a 12-year-old boy to receive a prison sentence, but he would be surprised if the outcome turned out that way in this case.

He said that under the law, young offenders should be given the least restrictive sentence that is most likely to rehabilitate them.

“I think we can all agree that a 12-year-old doesn’t understand his actions or the consequences like a 35-year-old does,” he said.

Maran said Wednesday morning that police do not believe this was a random incident.

Later Wednesday, the suspect said the teens and the victim did not know each other.

Maran said no further charges are expected at this time.