Five boys aged 12 to 15 arrested for attempted manslaughter, aggravated assault
The police arrested five young teenagers for aggravated assault in Beverwijk and two counts of attempted manslaughter in Heemskerk. The boys, aged 12 to 15, violently attacked other young teenagers, recorded the beatings, and posted the videos to Snapchat, the police reported on Monday.
At around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, two boys attacked another boy on President Kennedyplein in Beverwijk. One of the suspects deliberately bumped into the victim and demanded an apology. “The ‘sorry, sorry’ or ‘sorry, king/boss’ tactic is common among young people,” the police said. “It is alarming and appalling that suspects frighten, humiliate, and abuse victims in this way.”
The two suspects, 14-year-olds from Castricum and Heemskerk, filmed the assault. “The highly disturbing videos were posted on Snapchat, a common occurrence in these types of incidents.” The police arrested these two boys on Sunday for aggravated assault and public violence.
On Sunday, January 18, a group of four boys attacked two other children on Debora Bakelaan in Heemskerk. The police did not describe what happened, but the assaults were severe enough that the police suspect the children of two counts of attempted manslaughter. Videos of the assaults were also shared on Snapchat.
The police arrested these suspects - a 12-year-old boy from Beverwijk, two 14-year-old boys from Heemskerk, and a 15-year-old boy from Uitgeest - on Sunday.
It is unclear whether the incidents in Beverwijk and Heemskerk are linked. The police are investigating that, a spokesperson told NH Nieuws.
The region has been plagued by violent incidents committed by children for some time. “Are you being threatened or do you feel unsafe? Talk with your parents, a teacher, a youth officer, a youth worker, or someone you trust,” the police urged kids in the area. “The police are also there to help.”
