‘I was pretty shocked’: Flin Flon woman attacked by group of children

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This article was published 22/05/2019 (1798 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Flin Flon woman says she plans to stay in Saskatoon for awhile despite being swarmed and beaten this week by a group of children in a public park.

Cellphone video of the attack on — and recorded by — Bonnie Halcrow, along with video captured by a witness to the incident Monday evening at Pleasant Hill Park, have been turned over to police.

Saskatoon police confirm they’ve opened an investigation. No arrests have been made.

Halcrow, 33, said the trouble began when a group of about 10 young boys began throwing sticks and rocks at an older man who was wheeling a fridge on a trolley through the park.

She warned the children she was recording their harassment and would contact police. That’s when they turned on her, Halcrow said Thursday from Saskatoon.

“I was pretty shocked… 10 kids, between the ages of eight and 14. They were just yelling and screaming profanity,” Halcrow said.

Halcrow said some youth made a grab for her cellphone to stop the recording. She grabbed it back and, as she leaned over to it put away, the group swarmed her — in full view of her young daughter.

“They started kicking me, punching me, keeping me off balance so, basically, I couldn’t stand up,” she said.

All the while, her daughter (who turns 10 next week) and her daughter’s friend, were too stunned by the attack to even react. The group ignored them, and Halcrow said she’s thankful the pair were left alone.

“They were right there beside me. They just stood there and watched helplessly,” Halcrow said.

In addition to the cellphone footage Halcrow captured, police also have separate footage taken by a witness.

News media noted witness reports that the park has been plagued by a rowdy gang of youngsters, who are being blamed for stirring up trouble in the neighbourhood in recent weeks.

Halcrow, who is visiting the city, said the incident lasted about two minutes. It stopped as soon as Halcrow, who’d been knocked to the ground, managed to get back on her feet.

The group scattered. Halcrow, her daughter and friend left the park, too.

“I didn’t go to the hospital, I came straight home and I messaged the police,” Halcrow said.

The Saskatoon Police Service sent officers and took her statement. She said she was on her way to police headquarters Thursday to have photos taken of bruises on her back, arms and legs.

“Then I’m going to the hospital. Every day that passes, my back, it hurts to move. I have a hard time sleeping,” she said.

Halcrow said she plans to return home to Flin Flon at the end of the month.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca