(UPDATE: April 17 @ 11:10 am) - A man who was allegedly involved in a fight in the stands of a KIJHL playoff game in Fruitvale last month has finally been arrested.
The RCMP says the 57-year-old Grand Forks man turned himself into police on Tuesday, April 8, and was arrested for the alleged assault.
A report will be forward to Crown Council for potential charges.
Police had been trying to identify the man for multiple weeks following the fight during game four of a second round playoff series between the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Grand Forks Border Bruins in Wednesday, March 19.
The alleged altercation between the Grand Forks man and a Nitehawks fan from Fruitvale resulted in the latter being "violently thrown to the ground," police explained on April 1.
A Fruitvale woman in attendance at the game claimed the victim was knocked unconscious and suffered a seizure, leading to "life-altering injuries."
(UPDATE: April 1 @ 3:10 pm) - The RCMP continues to investigate an act of violence that took place at a KIJHL playoff game in Fruitvale last month.
The incident in the stands of Beaver Valley Arena during game four of a second round playoff series between the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Grand Forks Border Bruins on Wednesday, March 19.
According to police, a dispute that started over the use of an airhorn escalated into a fight in the stands between a Fruitvale man and a Grand Forks man.
“The Fruitvale man was allegedly violently thrown to the ground and sustained serious injuries as a result," a Trail RCMP release stated.
A Fruitvale woman claimed the victim was knocked unconscious and suffered a seizure during the incident, which has led to "life-altering injuries."
Nearly two weeks after the incident, police continue to try and identify the Grand Forks man who was involved in the fight.
The Trail RCMP released a photo of the suspect today, which shows him standing with a woman inside Beaver Valley Arena on March 19.
The man is described as Caucasian and around 50 years old, with a heavy build, gray hair and a moustache. He was wearing a gray ball cap, black jacket and blue jeans at the time.
Police say he may have been accompanied by a woman, also described as Caucasian and around 50 years old, with long brown hair and glasses. She was wearing a black jacket and blue jeans at the time.
Anyone who can identify the man or woman, or has further information on the March 19 incident, is asked to contact the Trail RCMP at 250-364-2566.
(Original story: March 25 @ 11 am) - The RCMP is investigating an alleged assault at a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) playoff game last week that left a man with serious injuries.
According to police, the incident happened in the stands during the third period of a game at Beaver Valley Arena in Fruitvale, east of Trail, on Wednesday, March 19.
It was game four of a second round playoff series between the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Grand Forks Border Bruins, which Grand Forks won 6-2 to complete the four-game sweep.
A statement from the RCMP says that a dispute began between fans from each team, a Fruitvale man and a Grand Forks man, over the use of an air horn.
“The matter escalated into a physical fight between the men,” the statement explained. “The Fruitvale man was allegedly violently thrown to the ground and sustained serious injuries as a result.”
Police say he was transported to hospital for immediate medical attention and remains there in serious conditions.
The incident was not reported to the RCMP until the next afternoon and investigators are hoping to speak to the Grand Forks man, believed to be between 40-50 years old, about the fight.
A social media post from a Fruitvale woman alleges that the Border Bruins social media account has deleted comments from Nitehawks fans demanding accountability for the “horrible act of violence.”
“The victim hit his head, was knocked out cold, had a seizure and had to be taken out on a stretcher by the ambulance,” Rhonda Walts wrote, urging others to share the post for awareness.
“He is still in hospital, just got out of a long surgery to repair both his knees (and) legs! This is life-altering and absolutely devastating and disgusting. There were children (who) witnessed this as well, that makes my blood boil.”
While the Grand Forks organization has not yet addressed the incident, Beaver Valley’s social media accounts released a statement from team president Stephen Piccolo late last week.
It says the team’s primary goal is to find witnesses and collect statements to gain a clearer understanding of what transpired in the stands.
“We believe that gathering information is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all fans at our events,” Piccolo said.
“It is important for us to know what happened, why it happened, and how we can work together to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Piccolo adds that the Nitehawks organization does not condone personal attacks or negative remarks from its fans toward the players, coaches or fans of other teams.
“We respect our fellow teams in the league, and we expect our fans to uphold the same level of respect and sportsmanship,” the Nitehawks president noted.
The incident remains under RCMP investigation and police are asking anyone who witnessed the fight, or has further information, to call the Trail detachment at 250-364-2566.
