Gatineau Police Investigate Assault on 12 Year Old Student

Police in Gatineau, Quebec, are investigating an alleged assault involving four older students who reportedly attacked a 12-year-old boy near Nicolas-Gatineau secondary school during Friday's lunch period before another confrontation occurred inside the building. The victim's mother, Marie-Josée Viau, says her son suffered multiple bruises and injuries, prompting the family to seek accountability and stronger measures to protect students.

The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) has received a formal complaint, according to Radio-Canada's October 20 report. The four students involved have been suspended for an undetermined period, while the Centre de services scolaire des Draveurs has declined to disclose details about disciplinary measures, citing student confidentiality.

According to Viau's account, the initial confrontation occurred outside school grounds behind the football field and the Complexe Branchaud-Brière. Her son allegedly touched archery equipment belonging to another student despite being told not to touch it. Four older teenagers then allegedly kicked and beat him, including striking him with a brick and pouring an energy drink over him.

The boy returned to class after lunch without initially reporting the incident. Later that afternoon, one of the alleged attackers reportedly grabbed him and pushed him against a wall near the lockers, where an adult intervened. The victim experienced bruising and pain in his back, arms, ankles and other areas, his mother said.

Viau said she was speaking publicly because the incident had undermined her confidence in the school's ability to protect her child. She emphasized that her family wanted accountability rather than revenge.

"We are not seeking revenge. What we are asking for is accountability. Transparency, too, from the school.

We want to know what measures will be implemented to prevent another child, and our son again, from experiencing the same thing." Viau said, according to La Tribune's October 20 report.

The mother also expressed concern about the alleged attackers returning to the same school as her son. She said the family wanted them kept away from the victim and questioned whether suspensions alone would provide sufficient protection. Despite her concerns, she does not intend to transfer her son, who has five years of secondary education remaining at the institution.

"A 12-year-old child should never be afraid to go to school. Our son no longer feels safe at all, and he sincerely wants these students removed from the school so he will never have to be in contact with them again." Viau said in an interview reported by FM 104.7.

The family also reported concerns about the students' previous disciplinary histories. Viau said learning that the teenagers had experienced earlier problems at school raised questions about how administrators had handled previous incidents.

The Centre de services scolaire des Draveurs said it could not discuss the specific circumstances because doing so could compromise students' identities. The school service center confirmed that a violent incident had occurred outside the school's perimeter and said administrators regularly remind students to remain on school grounds, where supervision and security measures make intervention easier.

"Violence has no place in our schools, and every situation brought to our attention is taken very seriously. The safety and well-being of our students remain a priority." The school service center said in a statement cited by Radio-Canada.

The organization also noted that the student did not initially report the incident, but said the subsequent handling of the case followed established procedures. An adult from the school was scheduled to accompany the boy to his bus through the end of the week to help him feel safer.

The incident follows an earlier episode of violence near Nicolas-Gatineau secondary school in 2024 that required police intervention. The school has surveillance cameras and security personnel, while the school service center has previously said it maintains a plan to address violence. The investigation into the latest allegations remains ongoing.