Sarnia Police officials allege: On July 24th, at 7:30 p.m. a group of males in a white, Dodge Ram pickup truck, and a brown/burgandy, Ford F-150, entered Canatara Park with the intention of contronting an individual.
Upon approaching the individual, a bystander intervened and attempted to deescalate the situation.
One of the males (the accused), returned to a nearby truck and retrieved some items.
Upon reapproaching the targeted individual saw the accused brandish a black handgun which was tucked into his waistband and began pulling it out.
He was stopped from doing so by the friends he was with.
The initial targeted individual began fleeing from the scene and the group directed their attention at the male that intervened to deescalate the situation.
One of the males punched the victim in the face.
The accused then sprayed the victim with bear spray.
The group (6-7 people) that attended with the accused then circled the victim and began kicking and punching him before fleeing the area.
The victim was transported by ambulance to Bluewater Health for decontamination and treatment.
The injuries from the assaults consisted of bruising and swelling.
On July 25th, members of the Major Case Action Team, and the Emergency Response Team arrested a 20-year-old Sarnia man for the following offences:
– Carry Concealed Weapon (2 counts)
– Possession of a Prohibited Device (2 Counts)
– Assault with a Weapon
– Assault (2 Counts)
– Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
– Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
– Failure to Comply with a Release Order (4 Counts)
– Administer Noxious Substance with Intent to Cause Bodily Harm
He was also arrested in relation to outstanding warrants originating from York Region for the following offence:
– Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
The intended target, the victim, and the accused, are known to one another in this incident.
The Sarnia Police Service believe that this incident is tied to previous investigations undertaken by the Sarnia Police Service in which criminal charges were laid.
The Sarnia Police Service, Criminal Investigations Division, continues to investigate this occurrence.
It is believed that there were many people in the area at the time of this occurrence.
If you witnessed this incident we are asking that you come forward.
The area where this occurred is a popular hangout amongst the Sarnia Streetcar scene.
If anyone has in car camera footage, or cell phone footage, of the incident we are also asking that you come forward.
And finally, the Criminal Investigations Division is still attempting to identify other individuals that participated in the assault.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Jason Boyd of the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigations Division at 519-344-8861 ext. 6209.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 519-332-TIPS (8477) or online at www.p3tips.com.
