The mother of a 13-year-old who was allegedly assaulted in a random attack said he’ll forever be looking over his shoulder when he goes downtown.
The teenager was walking downtown on on Thursday, March 21, 2024 when he was pushed and struck in the head near the bench on King Street, just west of George Street shortly after 6 p.m.
The suspect asked the teenager a question and suddenly got up off the bench and allegedly assaulted him striking him in the head, flicking a cigarette at him and pushing him into a building.
“It was random,” said the mother speaking to Today’s Northumberland.
The 13-year-old called his mother in tears, but didn’t require hospitalization and is at home recovering from the physical wounds, but the emotional scars will last for years to come.
The youth went home and police were called.
Later in the evening police spotted the suspect on King Street West, just east of the police station.
During the arrest, the suspect resisted, kicked and head-butted officers causing minor injuries.
At one point the accused removed a knife hidden in her sock and waved it at the officers.
Forty-nine-year-old Jill Edgar of Cobourg was arrested and held for a show causing hearing facing charges including two counts of assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, four counts of assaulting a police officer, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
When the press release came out, the mother was shocked when she read the suspect had a knife.
“Honestly, I cried. All I could think of is she could have pulled that out on him.”
“Downtown sure has changed. It’s nothing like it used to be when I was a child,” said the mother.
“It’s terrible the way its turned out.”
Stating she doesn’t feel the downtown is safe.
She said her son doesn’t want to be afraid of downtown.
“He wants to continue doing his job. (But) he’s more alert now.”
“He’s cautious of who’s around him now. He was before – but more now than ever.”
The mother said the incident has changed her son’s outlook about the downtown.
“It’s a shame. You just have to be careful when you go downtown.”
But she adds, “this is his town too. And he wants to help people in the town.”
“Parents need to be aware of this. You don’t know what’s going to happen from day to day.”
“Anywhere in the area of downtown.”
“It’s getting worse.”
“People coming in and out of our building and they’re right out of it.”
A week after the incident, the mother said her son is doing a lot better, “but it’s unfortunate he has to keep looking over his shoulder.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
