RCMP told Radio-Canada the boy was hit Thursday during an altercation with a 15-year-old in Shippagan. Police also told Radio-Canada they are investigating the incident. According to a GoFundMe page set up for the victim’s family, he suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. They say he is in critical condition. Qasim Dubia, the mayor of Shippagan, said counselors would be available at the child’s school on Monday. “We feel the pain the family may be going through right now,” Dubia said. “Having an 11-year-old struggling with life is something a parent can barely deal with.”
The Mayor urges calm
Dubia said the town of about 2,500 is torn. He said the boy who was hit was well-known and popular at school and feelings in the community were mixed as the other teenager involved was also from the community. “The mood in the community is not at its best,” Dubia said. “There are two families going through difficult times right now. This is not the time to judge.” Dubia said he is urging the community to exercise restraint in what they post on social media. “It’s very important not to overreact, to overjudge immediately,” said Dubya, who noted that police are investigating.
