Assault on a 6-Year-Old Girl in Barkly: A 17-Year-Old Suspect Formally Identified

The investigation into the assault of a six-year-old girl in Résidence Barkly took a significant turn on Thursday afternoon with the formal identification of a 17-year-old teenager as the main suspect. This development comes nearly a week after the incident, which occurred on Monday, November 24, when the victim was attacked at her home. Her 14-year-old brother witnessed the entire scene and intervened to help her, injuring himself in the process.

In his initial complaint, the 14-year-old explained to the police that an individual had attempted to strangle his sister before fleeing the scene. His testimony proved crucial to the investigation, leading to a police identification parade on Thursday at the Hautes Plaines-Wilhems police station. During this exercise, the brother formally identified a young resident of the area as the attacker. The 17-year-old suspect had been apprehended on Monday evening at his home after security agents, supported by Chebel residents, identified him and surrounded his house. They then alerted the police, facilitating his arrest.

However, after a preliminary interrogation, the young man denied any involvement in the assault and was allowed to leave. Nonetheless, the formal identification has shifted the course of the investigation. He was again released after the identification parade. The case will now be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will decide on the next steps regarding this matter involving two minors. Investigators continue their work as the Résidence Barkly community remains shaken by this incident, which has sparked intense emotions in the neighborhood.

Shehzad Jaddoo