As police investigate disturbing video of a Surrey boy being bullied outside school, the victim's father is trying to make sure the situation doesn't escalate any further.
The social media video shows a Grade 9 student being surrounded by a group of teenagers behind Fraser Heights Secondary School during their lunch break Monday.
One bully can be seen rooting through the victim's backpack. Another forces the boy to kiss his shoe and then kicks him in the face.
"When you find out your child's been attack, the vigilante muscle goes crazy," said the boy's father, Paul, whose last name is being withheld to prevent further abuse. "I wanted to run out of my house the instant I saw that video."
But instead, the upset parent said he's trying to speak to the other students' families so they can work together to make peace. He said he understands parents don't want to "see their children crucified," but that it's important the people involved take responsibility.
"All I care about is honest, peaceful resolution among all the parties involved," Paul said.
His son has put on a brave face since the incident, but Paul said what happened would be upsetting to anyone.
"There's a video circulating, not only at his school but other schools – (including) where his girlfriend goes to school – of him getting taken advantage of, beaten, robbed. I think he's dealing with a fair bit," he said.
The video shows his son being confronted in a forested area behind the school, with one boy accusing him of "snitching."
The victim's father believes it has to do with a situation that unfolded last week where a student was caught with an airsoft gun.
Surrey police say they are investigating a report of an assault on May 31, where an individual is believed to have dropped an imitation air-soft hand gun.
Three days later, a teen was approached by a group, allegedly threatened and assaulted in relation to the first incident.
School officials said there are supports at Fraser Heights for the victim, and that they are working with parents to find new ways to address bullying.
"Our entire school community has been affected and is deeply concerned about the impact of this incident on our student," said Fraser Heights Secondary principal Rick Breen in a statement. "The school has been working with the victim's family to provide support for the teen going forward."
The individuals in the video, except for the victim, have been expelled, according to the Surrey school district.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Angela Jung and Spencer Harwood
