-
Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
Police have been called in after a group of armed teenagers
stormed an Auckland high school and assaulted a pupil.
The attack happened on Monday afternoon at Lynfield College in west
Auckland, when a 14-year-old boy was attacked in front of students
and their teacher.
The Principal of Lynfield, Steve Bovaird, said a group of teenagers - students not from his school - burst through the door, found their victim and unleashed their attack on the pupil.
Bovaird says in his view, the attack was a home invasion situation.
"They indentified a student in the back of the room they were after and punched him a number of times. I think there was a kick put in as well," says Bovaird.
"I am appalled. It is dreadful and the family is also incredibly upset."
A female teacher tried to intervene, but witnesses say the group was armed with a softball bat.
The teenagers found their target after being lead to him by a Lynfield College student.
The teenage victim managed to escape serious injuries.
The injured boy's mother says her son is both physically and emotionally bruised by what happened to him.
He was not at school on Tuesday and she does not know if or when he will be back.
It is understood the conflict stems from harsh words exchanged on the social networking site Bebo.
Witnesses say one of the attackers yelled out the name of an Afghani youth gang. That has upset New Zealand's Afghan community leader Siraj Salarzi.
"It is very disappointing. The youth, they should do something better to give the community a good name, to give the Afghan people a good name," says Salarzi.
Up to five of the teenagers involved are students at Mount Roskill Grammar.
But since Monday was a term holiday at that school, the boys were not under the school's care and school officials says it is limited in how it can punish them.
Lynfield College is reviewing security, but says it does not want to turn the school in to a prison.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
