Update: Suspect in Ford Street assaults facing multiple charges
Update (Friday, Sept. 25, 2020)
Kingstonist has learned the identity of the suspect involved in the serious assault and subsequent standoff on Ford Street, which took place on Wednesday, Sept 23, 2020.
According to witnesses on the scene and subsequent follow up investigation, the suspect behind the incident is Mitchell Rattray, a 33-year-old male from the Kingston area.
Rattray is no stranger to the justice system, having been involved in a number of previous incidents in the area.
In September of 2015, Rattray was one of five suspects identified as being involved in a home invasion on Sydenham Road that led to a stabbing. He was charged with attempted murder, breaking and entering, using a disguise, robbery, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. One of the vicitims in the stabbing had to undergo a surgical procedure as a result.
Earlier this year, Rattray was arrested for arson after a suspicious fire in Harrowsmith. On Saturday, Apr. 25, 2020 just before 9:30 p.m., a fire broke out in the Harrowsmith home. Witnesses in the area reported a male attempting to flee the area, however, police were able to stop him quickly.
According to provincial court dockets, Rattray is scheduled to attend a bail hearing in Kingston on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Original article:
The male suspect behind the over-12-hour standoff with police on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 is now facing more than 15 charges, Kingston Police said on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020.
The 33-year-old male barricaded himself inside a building on Ford Street in Kingston’s north end after assaulting three individuals, all of whom were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries. The incident began just before 4 a.m. and was reported to police as a suspected stabbing.
The suspect remained inside the building for over 12 hours as Kingston Police attempted to negotiate with him. He also remained in the building following the deployment of flash bangs and tear gas multiple times in an attempt to push him out of the residence. Finally, the standoff came to an end at approximately 4:45 p.m. after both Kingston Fire and Rescue and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) also attended the scene for assistance. Frontenac Paramedic Services remained on scene for the duration of the standoff, and transported the suspect to Kingston General Hospital. He was struck multiple time with beanbag shots as police moved in on his location. According to Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police, the suspect remains in custody.
Kingston Police would not release the suspect’s identity, and it is unclear whether or not the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) will invoke their mandate on this case, as the suspect was injured. Kingstonist will continue to look into that matter and provide updates as more information becomes available.
According to police, the weapon used by the suspect during the violent assaults was a knife. All three of the victims have since been released from hospital.
The suspect has been charged with the following offences:
- Three counts of assault with a weapon
- Uttering threats to cause bodily harm
- Possession of a weapon for committing an offence
- Unlicenced person in possession of a prohibited weapon
- Possession of a prohibited weapon while prohibited
- Two counts of mischief under $5,000
- Eight counts of break of probation