Fredericton police make arrest after altercation between students

Fredericton police made an arrest Thursday after what they're calling an altercation between two female high school students that was recorded on video and shared online.

The Anglophone West School District said in a statement Thursday the incident occurred over lunch hour on April 30 between the Leo Hayes High School students.

"A 16-year-old female from Fredericton was taken into custody following a reported altercation between two female youth on Cliffe Street," police said in a statement Friday afternoon.

The individual "has since been released on conditions, and charges are currently pending," police said, and an investigation is underway.

Video posted 

The district said in a news release the students were not on school property at the time.

"The school administration promptly addressed the incident with the utmost seriousness after a citizen reported the physical assault to police, and police in turn notified the school," the district said.

A video of the incident, posted Wednesday to YouTube by Canadian Jewish News, shows a young person running up from behind and punching another young person.

Several youth are seen recording the fight on their phones or watching as the pair struggle on the ground.

Later, an adult walks into the frame. He watches the fight and speaks to onlookers for 20 seconds before intervening.

"We can categorically confirm that the adults portrayed in this video are not teachers or staff members of Leo Hayes High School," the district said.

Eli and Michal Tsurkan identified their daughter as one of the students involved in the fight. The parents believe their daughter has been targeted because she is an immigrant from Israel. (Ed Hunter/CBC)

Eli and Michal Tsurkan identified the student in the video who was initially attacked as their daughter.

"It was a big shock for us," Eli Tsurkan said in an interview.

"It shouldn't happen again, ever, to any child. … No matter where [they] come from, it's just unacceptable."

The parents believe their daughter has been targeted because she is an immigrant to Canada from Israel.

"It was not just a simple fight," Eli Tsurkan said.

Fredericton police would not say whether they are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

CBC News has not been able to verify the identity of anyone else in the video.

Father wants answers

Apart from the police investigation, Tsurkan wants the school to take the incident seriously.

"I was asking the school, do you know what is the reason that [student] attacked? And I don't get an answer," he said.

"I think the school has to provide some information. This is their job, to understand what happened to prevent the next incident like that."

Anglophone West spokesperson Paul McIntosh declined to say whether the district deemed the incident to be hate-motivated.

"To protect the privacy of students, which is a requirement in New Brunswick, we cannot share further details," he said by email. "The school principal has continued to keep open the lines of communication with parents."

In the news release, the district said Leo Hayes High School "takes pride in fostering a multicultural, safe space" for students.

Education Minister Bill Hogan confirmed the student was suspended and later returned to school — a response he believes was appropriate.

"It's a horrible thing that happened ... however, they all have to come back and live in the same school," he said. "So that's where the work needs to happen."

Education Minister Bill Hogan made a statement in the legislature on Friday to 'denounce and condemn the rise of antisemitism.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)

He made a statement in the legislature on Friday to "denounce and condemn the rise of antisemitism," and mentioned the incident.

"A recent video of a student altercation which took place off school property on Fredericton's north side is disturbing at every level," he said.

"Nobody should be attacked or judged based on their religion or culture."

Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said if the investigation does conclude that this is an act of antisemitism, "it takes it to a whole other level."

"We do have to allow the investigation to be completed and allow the Fredericton city police to do their job."