Ontario woman charged with assault with a weapon after neighbour sprayed with water gun
A Simcoe, Ont. woman has been charged with assault with a weapon after spraying her neighbour with a water gun.
“I’ve cried myself to sleep many nights,” Wendy Washik told CTV News.
The 58-year-old educational assistant said she was playing with some kids at a backyard barbecue on Sept. 1.
“Because I love kids and work with kids, I asked [one] if he had any water guns and he said: ‘Yeah.’”
Washik then chased the child from the back of the house to the front of the home, and accidentally sprayed a neighbour.
“I was trying to figure out how the water gun was working. It’s not like I play with water guns at my age,” she explained on Tuesday. “I was going through the gate and it accidentally hit the neighbour that was maybe three feet away, [who was] cutting his grass.”
Washik said she tried to apologize.
According to Ontario Provincial Police, a Norfolk County officer was called to Woodway Trail after a neighbour dispute resulted “in the victim being physically assaulted.”
Washik said the officer wouldn’t even hear her out.
“They told my husband to ‘bring your wife out of the backyard,’ and that I’m being charged with assault with a weapon,” she recalled. “They didn’t ask me one single question.”
Washik was then taken into custody.
Because of this incident, the educational assistant has been put on leave by her school board.
“It just blows my mind that this has happened to me,” Washik said. “The mental and financial stress that has put on my family, my children and my husband, is not right and is not fair.”
Neighbours told CTV News they have history with the man who phoned police that day.
“He’s had numerous issues on the street, [with] lots of neighbours,” explained Kirk Stewart. “Police called on them and they’re constantly here.”
“It’s been a recurring issue on the street, police being at his house for very, very minor issues,” added Michael MacConnachie.
Another neighbour said she and her son always try to avoid the man’s home.
“[Liam’s] friends are allowed to the come to our house, but we no longer allow them to come to this house,” Bobbi explained.
Neighbours who spoke to CTV News feel the police have been weaponized against them.
“I don’t think it should be that way,” said Bobbi. “I think our system is really messed up.”
“We all get along fine, we’re not calling the police on our other neighbours,” MacConnachie said. “It’s always the one individual who’s calling the police.”
Norfolk County OPP wouldn’t comment on the specifics of this incident.
They said in an email to CTV News: “Regarding the charge that was laid, details about the weapon involved are considered part of the investigation and are not generally shared with the public.”
OPP also addressed the concerns of neighbours.
“We want to assure the community that every case is thoroughly investigated to ensure it is handled appropriately and brought to resolution,” the statement continued. “We are committed to maintaining high standards in our investigative work, regardless of how the public may perceive the allocation of resources. Our focus remains on doing our job effectively, ensuring that each case receives the attention it deserves, regardless of public perception.”
CTV News tried to speak to the man who called OPP but he did not appear to be at home.
Washik said she now has a lawyer and her daughter has started a GoFundMe to help cover the family’s legal expenses. But they hope the situation is resolved long before it ends up in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TD Bank hit with record US$3 billion fine over drug cartel money laundering
TD Bank will pay US$3 billion to settle charges that it failed to properly monitor money laundering by drug cartels, regulators announced Thursday.
Poilievre, Guilbeault claim victory after federal budget watchdog's updated carbon tax report
Both the Liberals and Conservatives are claiming a win after the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released an updated report on the economic impacts of the federal carbon tax on Canadian households.
DEVELOPING Live updates: Millions without power amid path of destruction left by Hurricane Milton
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction and immobilizing critical infrastructure. The extent of the damage is not yet known.
Hurricane Milton by the numbers
Hurricane Milton ripped through Florida Wednesday evening, leaving a trail of destruction, flooding and power outages.
Fisher-Price infant swings recalled in Canada after 5 deaths reported
Several models of Fisher-Price infant swings have been recalled in Canada after the company received reports of fatalities link to affected products.
'The View' co-hosts come out swinging at Donald Trump a day after he insulted them
The hosts of ABC's 'The View' clapped back at Donald Trump on Thursday, a day after the Republican nominee for president insulted co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg.
Dozens of tornado warnings were issued ahead of Hurricane Milton. Is that normal?
Florida saw a record number of tornado warnings in a single day Wednesday. An expert says this phenomenon is not unheard of.
Video shows violent robbery north of Toronto, suspects make off with suitcase full of cash: police
Police north of Toronto have released video of what they’re describing as a violent, targeted robbery in Thornhill, where suspects boxed in the victim’s car and made off with a suitcase filled with cash.
Poilievre says 'other ways' to address affordability for seniors than Bloc's proposed pension boost
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says that while his party backed a Bloc Quebecois motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits, he thinks there are 'other ways' to address affordability for older Canadians.