With scores of Innisfail students wearing orange today to symbolize the community's disdain for bullying, local RCMP has laid an assault charge against a fourth suspected bully in the Aidan Remple case with a new count of robbery laid against an alleged adult assailant.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Jeff Hildebrandt said the evolving case, which began in Raspberry Park on Aug. 25, has now seen charges altered against the accused following consultations with the Crown.
“We discussed the matter with the Crown and upon reflection with all the evidence that has been collected to date we thought it better to separate out the focus based on the merits of their (suspects) direct involvement that we had at that time,” said Hildebrandt.
Following those discussions between the RCMP and the Crown, two 14-year-old youths now face assault charges. One 16-year-old youth has also been charged with assault, and a 20-year-old adult is now facing one count of assault with a weapon and one charge of robbery. The youths will appear in Red Der provincial youth court on Oct. 3 while the 20-year-old will make his first appearance in adult provincial court on Oct. 4. Hildebrandt said three of the accused are related.
“From our information from multiple sources we came to a conclusion that the primary offender, being the adult, was more deserving of those specific charges considering his involvement,” said Hildebrandt. “There was a longboard used in the commission of the assault, which is the assault with a weapon, and that longboard was not returned. They kept it when they took off. In conjunction with a theft and violence we have the grounds to lay the charge for robbery.”
Hildebrandt said while police take every case seriously, he said the gravity of the attack, which has been widely publicized, merited special and vigilant attention from the police and Crown.
“The mere fact of one group attacking an individual is of greater concern than if it had been one single individual with another single individual. On that level it's aggravating and as such warrants a little bit more scrutiny and definitely a lot more effort,” said Hildebrandt. “In this case we had somebody who actually received medical treatment and stitches so he is going to have permanent scarring. That is pretty aggravating. Having four attack one is aggravating.
“Having this happen in open communication with the rest of the community in a park is aggravating – all of which warrants a very close approach with the courts and the Crown and the police to maximize the deterrence factor, to possibly prevent something like that from happening again.”
Remple's father Daren said he was pleased with the RCMP's commitment to the case, adding he's grateful to the community for the support given to his family since the Aug. 25 attack.
“I want to thank the community for all its kindness and support,” said Daren. “One lady from Rimbey even called and asked how Aidan was doing. It is all greatly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, today is “Wear Orange Day” at Innisfail schools. The schools were asked by Talitha Watkinson, president of the Innisfail Minor Football Association, to have students wear orange on Sept. 17 as a way to support 14-year-old Remple's determined stance against bullying.
On Sept. 7 in Calgary, Remple's bantam football team, the lnnisfail Cyclones, wore orange tape to support his determined stance against the assailants.
Wayne Pineau, principal at Innisfail Junior/Senior High, said his school is supporting the initiative.
“We've got our student union advisors on top of this and we will be involved in this in some way, shape or form,” said Pineau. “This issue is something we are really in touch with. This sort of behaviour (bullying) is problematic and we teach kids how to make good choices and the proper way of handling conflicts.”
