Police allege crowd threw rocks, bottles at officers during incident at Sunfest

Final night of London’s Sunfest marred by large disturbances resulting in police in riot gear attending. CTV’s Brent Lale reports.

Two youths are facing charges after police say officers were assaulted with rocks, bottles and fireworks while responding to a disturbance at Sunfest in London, Ont., on Sunday night.

Around 11 p.m., police reported seeing a male setting off fireworks into a crowd inside Victoria Park. As officers moved in to arrest the suspect, they said a large crowd became agitated and surrounded them.

Additional officers, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, attended as the situation escalated.

London police report several officers were struck by rocks and bottles thrown by people in the crowd, and one suspect was seen encouraging the disorder, and discharged fireworks toward police and nearby members of the public.

“I heard some noises going on, some confusion, some banging and it sounded like firecrackers or something, even maybe gunshots at first,” said Christopher Bogle, who was at Sunfest in the park.

“I saw a bunch of young people running and then I saw a bunch of police officers. Then, all of a sudden, it was nonstop sirens. It just went on forever. The emergency task force came in and they surrounded the whole perimeter of the park. I’ve never seen something like this in my life.”

Bogle credited the London Police Service for containing the situation to the perimeter of the park.

“It was just total chaos,” he added as he took video of crowds and police.

“It was shocking. There were kids screaming. I mean, there’s parents and families there enjoying themselves and this is just, this is very sad. This should not happen in the city.”

Bogle wasn’t surprised to see the massive police response considering the fatal shooting in Toronto at the Salsa on St. Clair festival hours earlier.

“I think the whole police station was there, to tell you the truth,” he said.

“Plainclothes officers came, other officers had shields and they seemed like they were prepared for the worst.”

“I’ve been doing filming and photography for a while now, and I tried to keep my composure. But you know what? My heart was pounding and I actually had, you know, almost tears in my eyes because of the shock. It was just panic,” said Bogle.

Police arrested one suspect shortly before midnight in the 500-block of Richmond Street. A second suspect was arrested shortly after midnight.

A 17-year-old London male is charged with:

• Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon
• Being a member of an unlawful assembly
• Obstructing a peace officer
• Possessing an explosive substance (fireworks) to endanger life

A 16-year-old London male is charged with:

• Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon
• Being a member of an unlawful assembly
• Obstructing a peace officer

Under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the youths will not be identified.

No injuries were reported among police or members of the public.

CTV News spoke with Sunfest organizers who declined an interview request, but said in a statement, “We are aware of the incident that occurred near Central Avenue and Richmond Street. The safety of everyone attending Sunfest is always our highest priority.”

The annual festival features “a tapestry of arts, crafts, and culinary delights from around the globe,” according to its website.

“We are continuing to work with our community partners and police services to review the incident,” organizers added. “Questions regarding police operations should be directed to the London Police Service.”