Attack on Ukrainian newcomers leads to concerns with the current justice system
Posted August 15, 2024 5:27 pm.
Last Updated August 16, 2024 10:42 am.
A robbery in the Elmwood-Eat Kildonan neighborhood has sent shockwaves through the entire community, after a pair of Ukrainian newcomers were randomly attacked, sending a teen to hospital.
That teen remains in serious condition, and the serious incident has renewed calls for a change in the criminal justice system here in Manitoba.
A mother and her 14-year-old were walking home when they were approached by two men on bikes. After refusing to give the suspects money, they were assaulted with a baseball bat, sending the young boy to the hospital unconscious requiring an 11-hour-long surgery.
READ MORE: Mother, son beaten with baseball bat were newcomers to Winnipeg, police say
“She, I think has some injuries behind her ear where she got cut and got stitches, but her 14-year-old son is going through a very difficult medical situation,” said Joanne Lewandoski, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
“We have to somehow suppress these people who think they can be riding on their bikes with a bat and pounding people.”
Lewandowski says she met with the mother to see how they can help, and she’s been forced to stop working to care for her son.
“We don’t know what the results are going to be, hopefully, they will be positive, hopefully, he’s young enough, strong enough to get through this, but we have to be there for him.”
Premier Wab Kinew responded to the incident, saying it’s clear that steps need to be taken to address chronic offenders.
“People are going to be returned to the community in the future, so we need to make sure it will be safe for you the average Manitoban when that happens, but again it’s a comprehensive approach that’s needed,” said Kinew.
Winnipeg’s Mayor says he too is aware, adding there have been incidents recently of violence from individuals breaching court orders.
“My view has been that people who are breaching court orders who are violent offenders need to be behind bars,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
As for the 14-year-old child and his mother, a go-fund-me has been set up to help pay for rehabilitation as he continues his road to recovery.
