Jenn Lamont said the group of teens threw rocks at her, her husband and their friend. She said their friend had to go to hospital due to his injuries.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Jenn Lamont

After a violent altercation with a group of teenage boys yesterday, a West Kelowna resident says she is appalled at the police's lack of action.  

Jenn Lamont was met with a scene of chaos when she arrived at her home across from the Barona Beach Resort, around 5 p.m. August 9.

A group of about 15 boys, roughly 16 years old, were assaulting her husband and his friend. She didn't witness what started the melee but was told they had asked the group to keep it down, she said. 

"They were yelling and swearing, being really vulgar," she said. She said the boys responded with more profanity and throwing rocks, in front of several other residents, some of whom filmed the incident.

To watch the video posted on Facebook, click here.

"They were picking up rocks like large boulders and throwing them at our heads," she said. "My friend is in the hospital, his eye is popped out of his head."

iNFOnews.ca has not been able to confirm or verify any of the injuries beyond what is visible in photos and video.

She returned to her vehicle and began filming the boys with her phone. One of the teens grabbed her phone and ran away with it, she said.

"I got out, ran after him, and one of the other kids put his leg out," she said. "Tripped me, and pushed me into the cement."

Jenn Lamont said she was tripped and had rocks thrown at her by a group of teens August 9.

Image Credit: SUBMITED / Jenn Lamont

The group scattered when the police arrived, she said, but they didn't react as she hoped. 

"The police came, and said they couldn’t do anything because they were minors," she said. "They said we’ll have to chalk it up to a consensual fight because you could be charged."

She said that the three adults involved, including herself, did not assault the teens, and that they were simply defending themselves. 

The Kelowna RCMP is currently investigating the incident. 

"It was determined that both groups challenged each other which escalated in a physical altercation," Const. Solana Pare said in an email to iNFOnews.ca.

"Individuals from the group of youths as well as individuals from the group of adults were treat(ed) on scene by Emergency Health Services for minor injuries." 

Police also confirmed that criminal charges can be pursued against anyone 12 years or older when evidence of a criminal act exists. 

After posting photos of her injuries on social media and sharing the video, Lamont received messages identifying several of the individuals involved. She said that they attend Mount Boucherie Secondary School, and she was told that they have caused similar disturbances in the community before. 

She said one parent contacted her about his son's behaviour and apologized, while another parent defended her child's actions. 

Lamont wants the teens to face consequences, as she is concerned the behaviour will repeat itself. 

"I don’t want anything bad to happen to these kids, they’re just kids. But something needs to happen," she said. "They could’ve killed somebody."

Her nine-year old son and five-year old daughter both witnessed the incident. She said they are traumatized.

"They came into our room last, and they couldn't sleep," she said. "My daughter thought I was dead, (when) she saw me lying on the pavement."

If you know more about this incident, contact reporter Brie Welton.

– This article was updated at 3:19 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2020 to include comment from Kelowna RCMP.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Brie Welton or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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