Investigation ongoing following large party in Kingston’s University District

Charges may be pending as Kingston Police continue to investigate a large party that became unruly in the University District of downtown Kingston.

Police said they received numerous complaints from residents in the very early morning of Sunday, Jul. 4, 2021 regarding the gathering of over 300 people on Aberdeen Street – a street that long since been synonymous with large student parties.

According to Kingston Police, the gathering was predominantly made up of post-secondary-student-aged individuals, “in apparent contravention of Public Health COVID-19 rules,” said Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer with Kingston Police.

“Responding officers dispersed the crowd at approximately 2:40 a.m.,” he said, noting that the officers’ priority was public safety. “The investigation is on-going, and charges may be pending.”

Witnesses reported partygoers throwing glass bottles, pushing and shoving, and very loud music and revelry. This resulted in Aberdeen Street being barricaded off and closed down, as well as extensive clean-up efforts to clear the roadway of broken glass. Gutheinz said that officers are currently “reviewing video footage and other evidence to determine if organizers and participants can be identified and potentially charged under existing COVID-19 legislation and applicable criminal offences.”

Anyone who may have video footage, pictures, or information pertaining to the events is asked to contact the Kingston Police CORE Unit, who are currently leading the investigation, by calling 613-549-4660 and asking to speak with the CORE Unit.

Tips can also be made anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number (613-549-4660 ext. 0) and requesting to remain anonymous.