CALGARY – Lethbridge police have laid assault charges against two local teenagers in connection with a string of high school hazing rituals earlier this summer.
And police warn they will show "zero tolerance" and lay more charges against youths if the practice doesn’t stop.
The latest incidents involved "paddling" or striking younger students on the buttocks with a broken goalie stick or skateboard, said Lethbridge Sgt. Dan Walton.
In July, multiple teenage boys were assaulted in three separate incidents of paddling at various locations in Lethbridge, Walton said in a statement.
One of the accused attends the same school as the victims, while the other accused is a former student, police said.
"In recent years paddling has become part of a hazing ritual or initiation for high school students," said Walton.
He said police will continue to work closely with area high schools during the coming school year to address this problem, and asked parents to caution their children.
On Aug. 11, police charged a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified, with two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of uttering threats, and one count of assault. He is scheduled to appear in youth court Aug. 18.
A second 17-year-old boy was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon. He made his first court appearance Aug. 11.
Lethbridge police believe there may be more victims, and ask anyone who has information to come forward.
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