Teen Bullying Escalates to Knife Threat; Five Arrested

Police Charge Youths Over Violent Incident Captured on Video

A shocking bullying incident involving a knife threat against a younger boy has led to the arrest of five teenagers in Singapore. The disturbing event, which occurred on July 6, was captured on video and shared widely on social media, sparking public outrage.

Arrests and Charges Filed

On July 10, police apprehended five individuals aged between 12 and 15 for their suspected involvement in the incident. Two of the arrested teens, aged 13 and 15, faced additional charges on July 16. The 15-year-old is specifically charged with causing hurt and also with carrying an offensive weapon in a public place.

Disturbing Video Surfaces

A video clip, which emerged on social media platform Xiaohongshu on July 23, shows one youth brandishing what appears to be a butterfly knife, holding it to the throat of a smaller boy. Butterfly knives, along with other weapons like knuckle dusters and karambits, are classified as more dangerous and are subject to stricter regulations.

Escalation and Forced Humiliation

In the footage, the assailant pressures the victim to confess to something, then slaps him forcefully. The victim is then presented with a choice of punishments: endure five punches to the stomach or to “angkat naked.” The boy opts for the latter, beginning to undress before the video concludes. The circumstances leading to this severe escalation remain unclear.

Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Investigations

Possession of a scheduled weapon carries significant penalties, including potential imprisonment of up to five years and a minimum of six strokes of the cane. Investigations are continuing into the involvement of the remaining three teenagers in the incident.

The prevalence of youth violence remains a concern globally. In the United States, for example, reports indicate a rise in school-based violence incidents involving weapons. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 23 school shootings in 2021-2022 that resulted in injuries or deaths, highlighting the critical need for addressing underlying causes of aggression and conflict among young people (NCES, 2023).