Update: Charges laid – Violent altercation results in closure of Stephen Street

A violent incident that allegedly involved the use of weapons resulted in the closure of Stephen Street Friday night as police secured the scene to investigate.

Update (Monday, Jun. 6, 2022, at 5:10 p.m.)

The violent altercation that occurred on Friday night involved one of the victims being shot in the face with a BB gun, according to Kingston Police.

At the time, it was unknown to the victim, as well as the friend accompanying him, that the firearm in question was a BB gun, which resembled a handgun, police said in a press release late on Monday, Jun. 6, 2022.

According to police, the victim and their friend had arrived at the intersection of Division and Stephen Streets by bicycle. The victim was about to go into a store at the intersection when he was approached by the suspect. A confrontation ensued, police said, as the victim did not know the suspect, however, the suspect called the victim by name. The suspect then asked the victim to confirm the identification, and, when the victim verbally confirmed such, the suspect pulled out the BB gun and shot the victim in the face.

The altercation did not end there, however, as the suspect continued to fire the BB gun at the victim. The suspect then attempted to flee the scene, but the victim gave chase and disarmed the suspect, police said.

At that time, the suspect pulled out a second BB gun, which also resembled a handgun. The victim again disarmed the suspect, who then proceeded to take a hatchet from their backpack before walking towards the victim in a threatening manner.

Police arrived on scene while all parties were still present and, at approximately 10:32 p.m., the suspect was arrested.

Luckily, the victim only sustained minor injuries in the attack, and was taken to Kingston General Hospital by Frontenac Paramedics for treatment.

The suspect, a 31-year-old local, was charged with:

• Two counts of assault with a weapon
• Possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace
• Two counts of breach of probation

Original article:

A fight involving weapons resulted in the closure of Stephen Street in downtown Kingston on Friday, Jun. 3, 2022.

The incident began at approximately 10:30 p.m., and saw a fight break out on the sidewalk of Stephen Street just east of Division Street. At least nine Kingston Police cruisers responded to the scene, as did Frontenac Paramedic Services. The busy intersection is bounded by Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School, a Circle K convenience store, a strip mall, and residences.

Stephen Street was closed to traffic within 10 minutes of police arrival. At least two individuals were involved in the fight, which eyewitnesses alleged involved weapons, including knives and a possible firearm, which was later determined to be a BB gun.

Police combed the area for evidence and arrested at least one of the parties involved in the physical altercation, while paramedics checked over those involved. No major injuries appear to have been sustained. Stephen Street was reopened just after 11:30 p.m. the same day.

Kingston Police confirmed on Monday, Jun. 6, 2022, that one person was arrested as a result of the incident. Police are expected to release more information on this incident later today.

With files from Lucas Mulder.