Three teenagers are facing charges after a video shared on social media and sent to Global News shows a student being struck repeatedly and falling to the ground.
The video was sent to Global News by a student who asked to remain anonymous and said it involved students at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. Video of the incident was also shared on social media.
Toronto police said the three arrests occurred after an incident was reported to officers on Friday and that the investigation is ongoing.
“Obviously it’s very concerning – this kind of behaviour, this kind of action in this school,” Toronto police Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook said.
“We’re going to do everything we can to work with the school board to try to deter this kind of action.
Uniformed patrol officers were seen on patrol at, and around, the school on Thursday.
Toronto District School Board spokesman Ryan Bird told Global News the board is aware of fights from multiple east-end schools and school officials are working with police.
“If any students have concerns about fighting or any other matter, we strongly encourage them to tell a staff member at the school, so they can immediately follow up,” Bird said in a statement.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute students said the fights are orchestrated to settle disputes.
“It’s apparently like, one person was trying to steal other people’s things. It’s more like an accused thing,” Zack Fedasz said, adding that he has seen past fights in the neighbourhood with crowds up to 200 people.
“I don’t agree with violence. But you film it? You talk about it? Then you put it on TV, I think that’s just crazy,” Damien Ablitt-Ramrob said.
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Meanwhile, some students coming out of school approached Global News and condemned the video.
“There’s so much stuff that Laurier has to offer. More than these silly fights that you hear about on the news,” Fiona Shakyaver said.
“I don’t think it’s fair how they’re like portraying our school. There’s a lot of things to offer in this school that are great and amazing,” Renell Chari added.
Oriena Vuong contributed to this report