Hamilton police have arrested four youths and are continuing to investigate after an Ancaster student was assaulted while at least 20 people watched and didn't try to stop the assault.

In a Monday release, police said shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, there was a "large disturbance" at a plaza near Panabaker Drive and Garner Road West in Ancaster. A 15-year-old boy, who is a student at Bishop Tonnos School, located less than a block away from where the incident took place, was assaulted and sustained minor injuries.

A total of 20 students from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, located near Upper Paradise Road and Rymal Road West on Hamilton's Mountain, were involved in the disturbance. Police believe an unknown number of students from Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School may also have been in attendance.

Police have arrested three 15-year-old boys and a 14 year-old-boy, all students at St. Thomas More. The arrests took place between Jan. 21 and Jan. 25. No charges have been laid but the youths are going through a diversion program. If they are unsuccessful in completing the program, charges could be laid.

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Police spokesperson Const. Jerome Stewart said police believe the victim was targeted. It is not clear if he knew his alleged attackers, though they appeared to know him.

He said he could not provide more information about what happened leading up to the assault due to the ongoing investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing and more charges could be laid, said Stewart.

"Nobody stepped forward to prevent (the assault) to the best of our knowledge," Stewart said. "If you're not stopping the altercation or objecting to the altercation, you are supporting the altercation ... You are still part of the offence."

The disturbance was captured on video.

Police have identified other students who were involved and shared that information with school administrators.

Stewart said police launched an investigation after they received a call about the incident the evening of Jan. 16.

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Anyone with information about this crime is are asked to contact the Mountain Division Youth Resource Office at 905-546-3889.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips anonymously online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.