A view of the area near Princess Margaret School. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Four people arrested after machete attack in P.A.’s East Flat area

Apr 25, 2023 | 1:02 PM

Just days before his birthday, Prince Albert’s Damon Thomas is nursing a broken arm after being hit with a machete.

On Sunday night, the 22-year-old, along with his younger brother and a female friend, were walking and longboarding in the area near Princess Margaret school, when according to Thomas they encountered a group of youths.

“They yell something like hey nice board. You’ve got my board,” he said.

Following a brief verbal exchange, the groups of youths then crossed the park area and initiated a fight with the threesome. Thomas’s younger brother was hit first.

“Someone pulled out a machete and hit him on the back, hit him on his arm and his leg,” Damon explained.

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Thankfully the machete was dull and did not cause any serious cuts. The youth with the machete then came after Thomas and began swinging, hitting Thomas on the head and the arm.

“They realised I was bleeding before I did because they saw I was dripping blood out of my arm and still just staring them dead in the face and that’s when they started backing off,” he said.

Thomas estimated there were four youths and all were wearing hoodies. As they ran off, Thomas’ female friend called for police and so did a resident who watched the events unfold.

Two days after the incident, Thomas said he is still shaken up but acknowledged it could have been a lot worse, and credited police and paramedics for a quick response. In a post to social media, Thomas’ mother Bridget also expressed her thanks to police and cautioned people to be careful.

“No matter how safe your neighbourhood is, anything can happen. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t take chances, and take care out there my friends,” she said.

Following the incident, police have arrested and charged Jerome Sanderson, 18, with robbery and possession of a dangerous weapon. Two 16-year-old male youths and one 15-year-old male youth have also been charged with robbery.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell