Police say firearm brandished during fight involving 20 youths in Kitchener
Young people in Kitchener’s Forest Heights neighbourhood say they’re not surprised to hear a gun was allegedly pulled during a fight in the area.
The altercation happened on Wednesday just after 12 p.m. in the area of Fischer-Hallman Road and Queen’s Boulevard and involved around 20 youths, according to Waterloo regional police.
Police say one of the young people involved brandished a firearm during the incident.
“There’s so many fights here and there’s always weapons getting pulled out and everything,” local teen Logan Bourgon told CTV News.
“We’ve had a few incidents with that kind of stuff around the area,” said Darius Campbell.
Police say no injuries were reported.
Young people who saw the fight describe it as “massive.”
“I just saw a whole bunch of people ganging up,” said Forat Ahmed. “I went and followed them, me and my friends. Then they just started fighting out of nowhere.”
“There was just a massive fight,” Adam Tuka said.
Earlier this week, Acting Police Chief John Goodman talked about concerns with youth crime and weapons during an interview with CTV News.
“I would suggest there has been an increase with youth and weapons. It’s not uncommon, but for sure some of the weapons showing up now are very concerning,” Goodman said. “The firearms are concerning, the knives are concerning, the machetes are concerning, we’ve had bear mace at a school. There’s some significant concerns for us.”
At a plaza in the area, a restaurant server says she often sees fights outside around lunchtime.
“It’s happening all the time, every day,” said Patti Battell, who works at the Halibut House at the Highland Hills Mall Plaza.
Battell says people try to bring in their food, forcing the restaurant to post a sign telling students they can only come inside if they purchase food.
"But I get to the point that I just can't be nice anymore, because they just don’t understand nice, but then they don't understand angry either," Battell said.
Police are still investigating the fight and asking anyone with information to contact them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
BREAKING NEWS Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office with the election just four months away. It was a late-season campaign thunderstrike unlike any in American history.
Read Biden's full text announcing the end to his re-election campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump. He announced his decision in a letter posted on social media. Read the full text.
Harris, endorsed by Biden, could become first woman, second Black person to be U.S. president
Kamala Harris could become the first Black woman to head a major U.S. party presidential ticket after U.S. President Joe Biden abruptly ended his re-election bid and endorsed her.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
LCBO workers ratify tentative agreement, strike ends Monday
The union representing 10,000 workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has ratified a tentative agreement, which will officially end its two-week strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.