Kamloops officer injured after being struck in the head with a skateboard: RCMP

KAMLOOPS — A youth was arrested after allegedly striking a Kamloops RCMP officer in the head with a skateboard.

In a news release, RCMP say they were called to the North Shore Bus Loop on the 700-block of Sydney Avenue at around 11:20 p.m. Thursday (June 22) where a group of 18 to 20 intoxicated youths reportedly assaulted someone and uttered threats.

Police say an officer attempted to arrest a young man who began resisting, then other youths began pulling the officer way. Amid the commotion, RCMP say another young man allegedly smashed the officer’s windshield with a skateboard then struck the officer in the head with it. The officer was sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Very fortunately, the officer is expected to recover,” Supt. Jeff Pelley says. “This was an extremely alarming situation that could have most certainly had a very different outcome for the officer and youths involved. I can’t stress enough the importance of cooperating with a police investigation and not interfering, which helps no one and in this case, led to an officer being assaulted and a youth now facing very serious charge recommendations.”

Officers found the assault suspect nearby and arrested him. He was released to a guardian with conditions and a court date. The first youth arrested was also sent home to his guardian without process, pending the investigation’s results.

Anyone who witnessed or recorded the assault, or has any surveillance and information related to it, is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP.