A 16-year-old South Surrey student suffered bruises and cuts last month, when he stepped up to protect a friend from a stranger.
White Rock RCMP Const. Shaileshni Molison said that little information could be shared about the May 21 incident, as the investigation is ongoing.
However, the teen, in Grade 11 at Earl Marriott Secondary, told Peace Arch News he was walking back to school after grabbing lunch with two friends that day when a car suddenly pulled over.
The driver jumped out and pulled a woman out through the passenger-side window, and then the pair were "in each other's faces," the teen said.
Things went sideways when the woman went to get back in the car and one of the EMS friends questioned why she would do that.
"For some reason, the girl took offence to it and charged at my friend… slapped her coffee out of her hand," the teen told PAN.
The teen said he was assaulted when he stepped in front of his friend as the driver also started in her direction.
"I wasn't really quite sure what happened. I know I got hit twice… once in the cheek and once in the temple."
The teen's parents – who asked that his identity not be made public – said they couldn't be prouder of how he reacted in the situation.
The teen, however, said his only thought was for his friend's safety.
"I didn't process the situation, I just did it," he said. "If I wasn't there, I have no idea what would've happened to my friend."