A 17-year-old Surrey boy was found bleeding from his head after being hit with a baseball bat multiple times in Langley City on Sunday night.
An 18-year-old Langley man was later arrested hiding in the attic of his nearby house, while police are putting out an arrest warrant for a second suspect. Police are alleging the attack was retribution for a fight that took place the night before.
Around 9 p.m. Langley RCMP were called out to the 5400 block of 208 Street where a group of males were fighting with baseball bats, said Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Marks.
Officers were at the scene quickly and located the victim. B.C. Ambulance Service was called to help the young man who was conscious and breathing, said police.
A friend of the victim told police they had been walking along when two men, not known to them, had approached them from behind and struck the victim with a bat multiple times, said Marks. The suspects then fled on foot.
Police dogs were called in and a track was established. Several witnesses to the attack were interviewed and provided descriptions of both assailants, she said.
Police were able to ascertain that one of the suspect’s homes was nearby. The police dog track led to this same residence in the 5300 block of 207 Street.
Officers entered the home and found the suspect hiding in the attic. He was arrested just before 9:30 p.m.
“A baseball bat, believed to be the weapon used in the attack, has been seized by police as evidence,” said Marks. Police said they know the second man involved in the attack and are requesting a warrant for his arrest.
Police believe the beating was retribution for a fight that took place the night before between the suspects and friends of the victim.
Police were called to investigate this fight but the victim in this instance did not want police involvement, said Marks.
The 17-year-old victim of the bat attack will recover from his injuries, said police.
The suspect was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing.