2 teens charged with assault in fight outside Montreal high school

One person was taken to hospital and three others were injured after a group of teenagers got into a fight near a Montreal high school on Thursday afternoon. 

Montreal police say four teens were stabbed in the altercation, which began around 1 p.m., in an alley off Villeray Street in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood, near John F. Kennedy High School.

A spokesperson for Urgences-Santé said only one person was transported to hospital with an injured hand. Their life is not in danger.

Police said the three other injured people were located after the altercation. Two of them also sought medical attention. 

JFK High School has reopened since the incident. The nearby adult education centre has also since reopened.

A student at the high school said he was standing outside when he saw a group of teens — who he said were from a different nearby high school — arrive and assault a teenager.

He said the group was beating up the teen, when one of them drew a knife and stabbed him in the hand. The wound was deep, but the teen is now fine, the student said.

Two 16-year-olds were arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with the incident. They appeared in youth court on Friday.

One of them pleaded not guilty to three counts of armed assault, one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

The other teen pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, armed assault and possession of a weapon. He will remain in custody until he is sentenced. 

François Bonnardel, Quebec's public security minister, issued a statement saying that he finds it "immensely sad to see young people in such a situation."

"Violence is never the answer," he said.