Update: suspect arrested – Kingston Police investigating sexual assault at Churchill Park

Content warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing to some readers.

Update (Thursday, Jun. 8, 2023):
Kingston Police have arrested and charged the suspect in a sexual assault that occurred in Churchill Park in downtown Kingston in late May.

After a lone 20-year-old female was followed by a male into the park and sexually assaulted just before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Kingston Police launched an investigation, and requested assistance from any members of the public who might have information. At the time, police noted that the suspect walked with a noticeable limp.

Just over a week later, police announced the arrest of a suspect.

“On June 7, 2023 the investigation led Kingston Police Detectives to an address on MacDonnell Streets (sic) where they spoke with a male. The Detectives ultimately determined there were grounds to arrest the male for the assault,” Const. Cameron Mack, Acting Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police, said in a press release.

The 40-year-old Kingston man has been charged with sexual assault.

Original article (Wednesday, May 31, 2023):
Churchill Park in downtown Kingston remained taped off by police this morning as officers continued their investigation into a sexual assault that occurred at the park overnight.

On the morning of Wednesday, May 31, 2023, motorists noticed a large section of the park surrounded by police tape, and police cruisers sitting at the southwest entrance to the full-block park, which is bounded by Mack Street to the north and Brock Street to the south.

According to Kingston Police, a woman was sexually assaulted in the park just before 2 a.m. The male assailant “fled from the scene after a witness intervened,” police said in response to Kingstonist inquiries.

“A lone 20-year-old female was walking on Regent Street when she encountered a male unknown to her that appeared homeless,” police said later in a press release.

“The female offered the man some food and then proceeded to walk through Churchill Park. This male then followed her into the park and sexually assaulted her. The assault was interrupted by another citizen, causing the male suspect to flee the area on foot in a northeast direction through the park. This incident was then reported to the police.”

“The female was taken to the hospital following the assault,” said Constable Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male who “walked with a noticeable limp,” with short brown hair. He was wearing a red T-shirt at the time of the assault. 

“Further descriptors may become available as the investigation progresses, as interviews are still being completed,” Kingston Police said.

Any witnesses with information about this incident or anyone who may have knowledge of the suspect’s identity is asked to contact Detective Stephen Rines at 613-549-4660 ext. 6407, or via email at [email protected]. Further, any member of the public who observes a male matching the description of the suspect is asked to contact Kingston Police.

Kingstonist will provide further coverage if/when more information becomes available.