Police charge accused attackers and victims in Calgary vigilante case

Police in Calgary have charged seven people in what they're calling a case of vigilante justice. They say it began when officers arrested three men and a youth who had allegedly lured a man through an online dating app to a remote location.

Police say the man was assaulted with a baseball bat and a replica gun, and his vehicle was vandalized. They say officers recovered video of the assaults from cellphones and further investigation revealed two similar attacks.

The accused face charges including aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Police say they have also charged the assault victims with arranging to meet a minor for a sexual purpose.

``Vigilante justice is never the answer and only serves to escalate violence and undermine the rule of law,'' Insp. Keith Hurley said in a statement Thursday.

``We urge the public to report any suspicious activity to police and to allow us to address these matters appropriately.''