Teenage boy arrested for choking, weapon assault on female MUN employee in St. John's

A 15-year-old boy is in custody after allegedly assaulting a woman at Memorial University in St. John’s Friday afternoon, Oct. 16.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says officers attended the MUN campus around 2 p.m. after a female was assaulted by a male she did not know. The attacker fled the area before police arrived.

The woman was reportedly not injured.

The university issued an alert through its MUN Safe app and social media, saying an employee had been assaulted while working in their office, which was not in a student residence building.

“The individual is safe at home and being offered supports,” the notice read, saying video footage of a person of interest had been provided to police and Campus Enforcement and Patrol (CEP) would be increasing its presence in the area to support the RNC investigation.

Police arrested the teenager around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and charged him with assault with a weapon and assault by choking.

He will remain in custody to appear in provincial court.

As a youth, his identity is banned from publication.

The RNC is advising anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to report it by calling (709) 729-8000, or 911 in case of an emergency.

MUN is reminding students, staff, faculty and visitors that CEP is available to accompany them to and from buildings and vehicles. CEP can be reached at (709) 864-8561. In an emergency, call (709) 864-4100 or 911.