Three teenagers are facing charges in connection with a series of beatings of which video was reportedly shared online.
The violence has flared up in the last week or so near Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute, near Guildwood Pkwy and Kingston Rd in a trend called "Friday Night Fights". The beatings, not confined to Friday nights, can involve scores of teens swarming a victim.
While there may be some score settling behind the punches and kicks, getting shareable video appears to be a major motivator. Toronto Police have not been able to track any clips down, but they are reportedly being uploaded to Instagram and Snapchat. Both platforms have features that disappear photos and video 24 hours after posting.
Toronto District School Board spokesman Ryan Bird tells NEWSTALK 1010 the board is aware of a number of recent fights involving Sir Wilfrid Laurier CI students, stressing most of the fights were away from the school and sometimes outside school hours.
While Bird says the TDSB is offering up any help it can to police, it is not doing anything extra to dissuade students from participating in "Friday Night Fights".
"Fighting in itself is not new so I think it's very clear to all students that fighting is not okay in whatever form that it takes."
Bird encourages anyone who has concerns for their own safety or for someone else's to speak up so officials can act.
Police say more charges could be laid.