Youth in Kelowna made headlines in September 2024 after a teenage girl was swarmed at Gyro Beach on the evening of Sept. 27.

A group of around 30 youths surrounded a 13-year-old girl and proceeded to kick, punch and push her. The girl did not fight back. Many people recorded video of the assault as well. After a minute, someone tries to stop the attack but as the girl attempts to get up, she gets kicked in the face and gets knocked out. While she is lying unconscious and unresponsive, people in the group pile dirt on the girl's head and proceed to continue to insult her. 

Five youths involved in the attack were arrested and released with strict conditions by Kelowna RCMP. 

The attack prompted the start of a petition by Jacqueline Best, the mother of one of the victim's friends, pushing for change surrounding crimes involving youth including holding parents of repeat offenders accountable and building a rehabilitation centre in the Central Okanagan. 

Earlier in September, charges were laid against 30-year-old Brandon Kazakoff following the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old Tristan Seeger in October 2023. 

Seeger was struck by a vehicle on Oct. 21, 2023, near Ben Lee Park in Rutland. He died in hospital the following day. The driver fled the scene. 

Kazakoff was arrested and charged on Sept. 6 for dangerous driving causing death, failure to stop or remain at the scene of an accident and assault with a weapon. 

In December, the accused elected to be tried by a provincial court judge.