Long weekend fireworks violence leads to 19 arrests, including minors
Local Beach resident says “we’ve had it before so I wasn’t surprised."
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Nineteen people including 10 minors were arrested after a violent long weekend of stabbings, a shooting, robberies, and seven injured police officers at Ashbridge’s Bay and Woodbine Beach.
The latest incidents happened Monday night – during the park’s first fireworks display in three years.
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A man was stabbed and paramedics took him to hospital in serious but stable condition.
“Officers were visibly present at Ashbridge’s Bay yesterday. It was a largely peaceful crowd,” police tweeted Tuesday.
“We did respond to a stabbing and @TPS55Div is actively investigating.”
They also reported five arrests throughout the night and a firearm recovered.
Sunday night even more was violent.
That’s when police reported the shooting, a stabbing and two robberies at gunpoint.
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Tuesday morning, residents near the parks said the mayhem has become a regular occurrence.
“We’ve had it before so I wasn’t surprised,” said Bernadette Knight, whose condo faces the park.
“I could see kids running, so I knew there was something. And they came this way and they were shooting those firecrackers.”
Krys Moore – out walking her dogs – said: “We’re used to it. It’s not unusual.”
“We sort of brace ourselves. Some people go out of town. Some people don’t even go outside.”
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Police said – in all – 19 people were arrested, including 10 minors.
They face charges ranging from common nuisance, assault with a weapon, assaulting a peace officer, and robbery.
“We allege that some individuals were intentionally directing fireworks at people, including at police officers. This reckless behaviour resulted in injuries and our officers immediately responded to protect the public,” Insp. Jeff Bassingthwaite said Monday.
One officer broke a leg responding to the shooting, and two officers suffered burns and ear injuries when fireworks were thrown and exploded near them.
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Another officer was struck directly in the face by a firework and sustained serious abrasions to his face, ears, and eyes.
Beaches-East York city councillor Brad Bradford said “residents were terrified. I spent all of Sunday afternoon just north of lakeshore here knocking on doors talking to community members.”
He said police should have a better plan for upcoming long weekends.
“People need to have the confidence that they can come down here in a safe manner and enjoy themselves with their family and have a good time. But what we saw Sunday night was the opposite of that.”
“I get angry about it. I get worried about it. I feel bad for the police and everybody else,” said Knight as she stood on her balcony Tuesday.
“It’s just sad.”
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