Police ask for help after attack leaves teen brain-damaged
Police need public help to track down suspects in a violent assault last month in north Edmonton that left a teenager in hospital with life-threatening injuries, and likely permanent brain damage, police said Thursday.
“He was in a coma for over a week and he’s kind of regained consciousness since, but he’s kind of in and out — not enough to speak to anybody,” acting Sgt. Lawrence Avery said of the 17-year-old high school student, who was attacked Sept. 28.
“At this point, we have no suspects, so we’re just appealing to the public, anyone who might know anything. This is a very serious assault and we really need to find who’s responsible for this.”
Police have gone door-todoor questioning residents and canvassed nearby businesses looking for video surveillance, but had no suspects Thursday afternoon.
Officers were called about 9:30 p.m. to a large condominium complex near McCrae Avenue and Castle Downs Road where they found the teen, semi-conscious, lying behind the building in the alley, police said Thursday. The teen was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
“We were really hoping he would regain consciousness and be able to speak with us. The thought was it would be better to speak directly to him first (before asking for public help), but his condition has continued to deteriorate,” Avery said.
The teen remains in intensive care.
“I have limited information on (his condition) but, from what I can tell, he may survive, but he’s not going to be the same. He has a degree of brain damage,” Avery said.
Witnesses told police the teen was allegedly assaulted by three males who fled in a dark, four-door sedan that was parked behind the adjacent strip mall at 153rd Avenue and Castle Downs Road.
The suspects were described as white males in their 20s with short hair and dark clothing, police said.
The injured teen lives in north Edmonton but not particularly close to the area where the incident happened, Avery said. He seems to be “a pretty average kid” with no past involvement with police, he said.
Police don’t know if the teen knew his attackers, but random assaults are rare, Avery said.
It doesn’t appear the victim was robbed.
“He had a backpack with him and nothing appeared missing. His wallet was still in there,” Avery said.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident or the suspects to contact the Edmonton Police Service or Crime Stoppers.