A Kelowna mother is speaking out, claiming an alleged attack on one of her children was not taken seriously by RCMP.
Reyhan Kutsal said her 11-year-old son was allegedly assaulted at a bus stop in Kelowna on Aug. 14. The son will be referred to as AP in this story to protect his identity as a minor.
AP had been spending time with a friend when the pair decided to head back to the friend's house for the night. The youth refused a ride from Kutsal, instead deciding to take the bus.
"He just started taking the bus two months ago (after his 11th birthday)," Kutsal said of her son, adding that she didn't want her son using public transit but was also trying to allow him to grow up.
AP and his friend were waiting at the bus stop at Springfield Road and Gordon Drive at about 8:30 p.m.
"Around 8:45 p.m., he called me from the bus stop, and he was crying. He said somebody beat them up," Kutsal commented.
AP told his mom that he had spoken with a woman at the bus stop who said she was 27. AP said he jokingly asked for the woman's number. She turned him down and proceeded to call over her boyfriend.
"Her boyfriend came and started pushing them, punching them, and saying, 'Why are you asking for her phone number?'" explained Kutsal.
The two kids then ran across the street to get away and call the police.
An officer attended the scene, and AP called his mom from the back of the cruiser to let her know what happened.
"After my son called me, the police never even wanted to talk to me," Kutsal asked her son if she should come to the scene, but the officer was already prepared to drive the boys to the friend's house. Kutsal spoke briefly with the officer over AP's phone, who told her he would give a business card to the friend's parents and would be in touch.
Despite calling the detachment and then showing up in person, Kutsal said she hasn't been able to speak with an officer about the case.
"They said they were too busy," said the mom, about when she arrived at the detachment in person. She was also informed that the responding officer was now on holiday.
Kutsal is frustrated by the police response, saying she doesn't feel like they are taking the matter seriously.
AP suffered a bump to the head and a black eye in the incident and was assessed by an off duty nurse, who is a family friend. He's also suffered mental trauma, according to Kutsal, who said AP hasn't really left the house since.
Kelowna RCMP confirmed there was an incident involving a minor and that the investigation is ongoing. No further details were provided.
This isn't the first time a minor was reportedly assaulted at a Kelowna bus stop.
In September 2023, a teen was assaulted at the bus stop at Rutland Road South and Robson Road East. As they were leaving the bus, a youth deployed bear spray on the 17-year-old Sikh victim. Another youth was arrested by Kelowna RCMP two days after the incident.
Earlier that year, in March 2023, a Sikh international student was attacked at the McCurdy Road bus stop on Highway 97. There have been no charges related to this case. However, Kelowna RCMP did clarify at the time that the BC Hate Crimes Team was not called to assist with the investigation, but instead, the specialized unit had simply been consulted.
Also in March 2023, a 15-year-old girl was sent to hospital following an alleged assault at the McCurdy Road transit stop. At least one youth was arrested following the attack.
Following the September 2023 incident, BC Transit said incidents on transit buses are rare.
"We take reports of inappropriate and illegal behaviour within our systems very seriously and work closely with police to follow the legal process for complaints,香蕉视频直播� BC Transit continues. 香蕉视频直播淚f someone is the victim of an inappropriate or illegal activity, or sees something that is inappropriate or illegal on the bus, please tell the driver immediately or call the police.香蕉视频直播�
Black Press Media has reached out to BC Transit regarding this most recent incident.
