Police say two teens started fight at Riverview party

A8

By Craig Babstock
Times & Transcript Staff

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Two youths are in custody after a Riverview man was stabbed while trying to break up a fight Wednesday night.

The accused, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, appeared in Moncton youth court yesterday and pleaded guilty to a pair of charges each, but more charges may be laid, so they haven't been sentenced yet.

Codiac RCMP Cpl. Mike Gaudet says police received several calls from people on Fundy Road at 11:14 p.m. reporting a street brawl in progress in this neighbourhood just south of Hillsborough Road, in Riverview.

"The report was of a fight in progress with 25 males going at it," says Gaudet.

Because of the large number of participants reportedly involved, police sent at least a half-dozen officers to the scene. When they arrived, people were scattering everywhere, but officers were able to interview several witnesses who saw what happened and learned the fight only involved a few people.

Gaudet says there was a party at a residence on Fundy, with people ranging in age from 15 to 19.

"Two males showed up at the party and 15 minutes later they started a fight," says the corporal.

Gaudet says the 17-year-old accused and another person got into a fight and it spilled outside the house, with everyone following. As they fought, the 18-year-old host of the party came out and told the combatants police were on their way and tried to haul the 17-year-old off the other person.

Witnesses say at that point the 15-year-old accused allegedly took a knife and stabbed the 18-year-old in the torso. By the time police got there the two teens who started the fight had fled the scene.

Police talked to the party goers to find out who they were looking for, then searched the area for them. Just over 30 minutes after the incident, the pair were spotted on a trail and then attempting to cross Gunningsville Bridge, where they were arrested.

The pair appeared in court yesterday, but can't be named because they're under 18. The older teen was charged with causing a disturbance on Fundy Road by fighting and uttering threats to cause bodily harm.

That teen was also in court a few hours before the fight on Wednesday, when he was sentenced to six months deferred custody and 12 months probation for assault with a weapon and obstructing a peace officer. As part of his sentence he was also ordered to take anger management, do community service, follow a midnight curfew and be of good behaviour.

The 15-year-old was also in court yesterday, wearing white RCMP coveralls, meaning his clothes have likely been seized as evidence. He was charged with possession of a knife for a dangerous purpose and breach of undertaking.

Both teens pleaded guilty to the charges, but neither were sentenced.

Crown prosecutor Remi Allard, who objected to their release, said he wasn't prepared to go ahead with sentencing because more charges could be laid. He said officers were still working on the complicated investigation and still had people to interview.

Judge Irwin Lampert remanded the pair until this morning to give the Crown more time to review the file and decide if there will be further charges.

Because someone was stabbed, a charge of assault with a weapon or aggravated assault is possible. Gaudet says the victim needed stitches, but the wound was superficial.