Youth charged in the vicious beating of Port Coquitlam security guard

LARISSA CAHUTE
VANCOUVER DESI

Hoshiar Singh Bajwa, seen here in Royal Columbian Hospital with his wife Kapoor Kaur Bajwa, was kicked and viciously beaten with a metal rod at a construction site by three men in the early morning of Oct. 14. Ian Lindsay/PNG

A minor has been criminally charged in relation to the October beating of a 64-year-old Port Coquitlam security guard.

Hoshiar Singh Bajwa was kicked and viciously beaten with a metal rod at a construction site by three men in the early morning of Oct. 14. He needed 100 stitches to his head.

On Monday, a 16-year-old boy – who cannot be named due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act – was charged with one count of aggravated assault.

The RCMP investigation continues as officers are still searching for the two other men involved, but according to Coquitlam RCMP spokesman, Cpl. Jamie Chung, the youth is not cooperating with officers.

“He’s not telling us names or anything about other individuals,” said Chung. “But (we’re) examining every single shred of evidence to move the investigation forward.”

While Bajwa’s family has been pleading for answers — offering a $5,000 reward for anyone to come forward with information — the news of the charge was bittersweet.

“(We’re) relieved, I guess,” said cousin Baldev Grewal. “It’s not a happy moment, but at least the family got some answers.”

Finding out a minor was involved in the vicious attack was a “shocker,” Grewal added.

“A young person getting involved in this stuff — we’d like answers,” he said.

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But regardless of the answers they’re given, it won’t help Bajwa through his long and grueling recovery process — both physically and mentally.

Two months after the attack, the 64-year-old man is out of hospital and at home — his injuries are healing, but he continues to live in fear.

“It’s all playing back in his mind all the time — why him and why did it happen?” said Grewal.

According to Grewal, Bajwa used to go “out and about” on his own, but now he’s confined to his home.

“This has changed (his) life, he doesn’t want to go out, he’s just gone into his shell,” said Grewal. “He’s staying in at the home … if he goes out he goes out with his son or his daughter — but that’s it.”

“Something broke inside him — he’s angry, but he’s frustrated at the same time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604 945 1550 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

Tags: Hoshiar Singh Bajwa, port coquitlam