By Greg Higgins/battlefordsNOW

Mother of pellet gun assault victim speaks out

Sep 15, 2017 | 9:35 AM

“There’s a chance my son won’t be able to smile again.”

Those were the words from the mother of a 16-year-old male shot multiple times by a pellet gun during a robbery; so fed up with the crime in North Battleford, she plans to leave as soon as possible. She asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

The robbery occurred Wednesday morning at roughly 10 a.m. According to the mother, her son was on a spare period at school and was on his way to get her a birthday present. The Battlefords RCMP report said three males on bicycles approached the victim and demanded he hand over his belongings while brandishing a pellet gun. The victim refused and one of the males shot the victim numerous times.

“I guess he fought back and I really wish he wouldn’t have,” The mother said. “He has a 10-month-old boy and he can’t even hold him right now. He has pellets stuck between his fingers and under his nails from trying to push the gun away.”

According to the mother, her son still has multiple pellets lodged in his face and hands, preventing him from holding his child because the pain is too severe. Doctors at the Battlefords Union Hospital told her they weren’t sure if the pellets could be removed without permanent nerve damage. He will now have to see a plastic surgeon in Saskatoon.

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 2

10h ago

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

Apr 18, 2024

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

According to the mother, the family has been dealing with crime since moving to North Battleford two years ago and this is the last straw.

“Honestly since we’ve moved here it has been horrible,” She said. “We live in not the very best neighborhood, but there are people always trying to break into our house. We have big dogs thank God or I am pretty sure they would get in. We have had our door kicked in and had to replace the door and the door jam. I plan on getting us out of here [North Battleford] as soon as possible.”

She added the family lives a few blocks from the school her kids attend and she doesn’t feel safe allowing them to go alone or out unsupervised at all.

“It is a shame because there only a few nice days left in the year.”

According to police, the three males were found and one has received multiple charges. The mother said her and her son are both very angry with the situation.

“They should be held accountable for what they’ve done,” She said. “I would like to know what’s going on at home. They [the culprits] are no older than my son. If there are other children in their home I think there should be someone looking into why the kids feel they have to do something like this.”

The mother added the school has had a meeting regarding people hanging out around the school who do not attend it and she is concerned these were the ones who attacked her son.

 greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins