Grade 9 student attacked by masked intruders at Nova Scotia high school

A Nova Scotia family is speaking out after two masked intruders entered a Halifax-area high school and violently attacked a Grade 9 student, prompting concerns about school safety and security.

On the afternoon of Jan. 16, Sylas Newcombe, 14, was walking between classes through the halls of Island View High School in Eastern Passage, N.S., when he was approached by two individuals wearing ski masks and hoods.

A video taken by another student shows a man confronting Newcombe, grabbing him by the neck and throwing him to the ground. 

The masked man delivered about 10 punches to the boy’s head before kicking him multiple times as he lay on the ground protecting his face. The second person kicks him a few times, before the two assailants are seen escaping through the back door of the school and running away.

CBC News has determined the video is too graphic to show in full. 

“I knew I wouldn’t win. I mean it was two huge guys wearing ski masks. They walked into my school. Obviously they don’t care. So I mean, I knew if I put my hands up and tried to fight them, it would have been a lot worse,” Newcombe said in a recent interview at his home in Dartmouth. 

“Just protect yourself. Just guard up. Just don’t let them get at your face. Don’t let them, you know, beat you to a pulp.”

Newcombe said he was beaten until he blacked out.

Emergency personnel were called, and Newcombe was transported to the IWK children’s hospital by ambulance where he was treated for his injuries. He had a concussion, bruising to his face and neck, a bloody ear, and was having trouble hearing.

RCMP confirmed to CBC News that Bryson McGrath, 18, from Enfield, N.S., was charged with assault causing bodily harm and disguise with intent.

Police say the investigation into the second attacker is ongoing. 

Duty counsel appeared on behalf of McGrath for an arraignment on Monday in Dartmouth Provincial Court. He’s applied for a lawyer through Nova Scotia Legal Aid and the matter will be back in court on May 11.

At the request of the Crown, the judge imposed a publication ban to protect Newcombe’s identity because he is a youth. The Crown did not ask him if he wanted publication ban in place.

He and his mother, Rebecca Newcombe, said they wanted to come forward and tell their story through CBC News. A section of the Criminal Code allows a person who is the subject of this particular publication ban to willingly disclose their identity.

“I’ve seen it with my own two eyes. The video is gross. It’s extremely difficult,” said Rebecca. 

“It’s your kid. I mean, you don’t want your kid to get hurt, especially at school. You know, it’s a safe space, right?” 

The family said the incident stemmed from an earlier dispute between Sylas and another student, which he thought had been resolved.  

Sylas alleges the student ultimately contacted the attackers, who do not attend Island View.

He believes that student let them in the main doors — which are typically locked.

Police said this student has also been charged with assault causing bodily harm and is expected to appear in Halifax youth court at a later date. 

The student’s identity is protected by a publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 

According to Sylas, the attackers were able to walk by the main office, a number of classrooms and the cafeteria without being confronted by a teacher or staff member. 

School safety protocol

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) did not put anyone forward for an interview to discuss the incident or school safety more broadly. 

Spokesperson Lindsey Bunin told CBC in an email that exterior school doors are closed and locked during the school day at all times, and people must buzz in to enter the building.

She said on the day of the incident, “one exterior door had been propped open, which is not typical practice.” 

“Student safety is our top priority. We will continue to cooperate with police as their investigation continues,” wrote Bunin. 

CBC asked HRCE about any steps the school is taking in response to what happened to Sylas. Bunin said via email that school leaders have “reviewed the expectations for entering the building with staff and students.” 

She said students are only allowed to enter and exit through the main doors, which are monitored by office staff. The school is also equipped with security cameras.

Rebecca said she has spoken to the school’s principal multiple times about changes at Island View to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. She said the principal has been receptive, expressed genuine concern and was “pretty upset by the whole ordeal.”

She said she was told that the school has reinstated an old policy that forbids students from wearing hoods indoors.  

Rebecca was also told that one of her suggestions would be implemented — turning all back and side doors into emergency exits with alarms to limit traffic to the front door only, where she hopes office staff will be more vigilant at keeping watch.

She also wants to see an increased staff presence in school hallways, especially between classes and during lunch hour. 

According to Bunin, there are staff members on duty during arrival and dismissal times to monitor those coming and going. 

Rebecca said it also “wouldn’t hurt” for HRCE to consider hiring security guards in schools as well. 

“You have security guards at our grocery stores making sure that you and I aren’t stealing prime rib steak, but two people can just walk into the school and nobody stops them.

“Nobody looks and thinks, ‘Who are these two? Why are they wearing ski masks?’” 

‘I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder’

It’s been more than six weeks since the attack, and Sylas has only just returned to school. He’s mostly recovered from his physical injuries, but mentally he’s still shaken up.

“I feel like if I leave the house without somebody that I can trust, then they’re gonna come back,” he said.

“I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder making sure there’s not somebody walking into the school to come get me.” 

In the meantime, Rebecca said she’s been told HRCE is looking into covering the costs of some therapy and tutoring for her son through its student insurance program. 

Sylas also plans to start boxing lessons at a local gym to learn some self-defence skills and rebuild his confidence. 

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