Three more people have been arrested in connection with an assault at a Stone Road West business as the Guelph Police Service continues investigating incidents surrounding the University of Guelph’s Homecoming weekend. Police said emergency services were called to a commercial plaza at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 27 for reports of a physical altercation. “They found two people had been injured and a window at the business had been smashed when one of the victims fell against it,” police said in a media release Tuesday. Following an investigation, police charged a 26-year-old York Region man and two Hamilton men, aged 19 and 20. Each faces two counts of assault causing bodily harm and one count of mischief under $5,000. The arrests are in addition to 12 others announced by Guelph Police on Nov. 4. Large gathering drew thousands Police estimate approximately 15,000 people took part in a Sept. 26 gathering on Chancellor’s Way, which they said quickly spiralled out of control. Officers responded to approximately 550 incidents across the city that day, including about 250 calls directly related to Homecoming. Videos shared on social media showed people throwing objects into crowds, individuals climbing the side of a building and officers in tactical gear attempting to control the situation. In the Nov. 4 announcement, police said people between the ages of 17 and 21 had been arrested in connection with the Homecoming investigation. They were each charged with assault with a weapon, causing a disturbance and two counts of mischief. One man was also charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon. Police said information from the public played a crucial role in the arrests. “A crowd does not provide anonymity and it doesn’t protect anyone from the consequences of their actions,” Guelph Police Chief Gord Cobey said. “If you endanger people, property or first responders, we will hold you accountable. This isn’t behaviour our community will look past, and the public’s help has shown that.” Investigation continues Police said the investigation remains ongoing as they work to identify others who may have been involved in dangerous behaviour during the gathering. According to the Guelph Police Service, 17 people have been identified so far, but investigators are still seeking the identities of another 17. A list of people police are looking to identify is available on the Guelph Police Service website. “[The] Guelph Police Service thanks the public for their continued assistance, which has been instrumental in identifying people of interest in the Homecoming investigation,” police said.
