Police in Peel Region say they charged 13 people after fireworks were shot into the crowd during a large gathering at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton on Victoria Day.
In an update on Tuesday, Peel Regional Police Const. Tyler Bell said in anticipation of the large gathering expected at the park on Monday, the City of Brampton made the decision to close it to ensure public safety.
He said there was information to suggest large groups of youth, many in possession of fireworks, would be attending, and it was believed they would use the fireworks to fire upon one another.
“At one point in the park, it’s anticipated there was over 2,000 people gathered and many of them with fireworks that were being set off at one another. We even had instances of fires that were inadvertently set just because of the fireworks hitting the ground,” Const. Bell said.
Between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Monday, police several people were arrested, removed from the area and then released unconditionally.
However, Const. Bell said 13 people were charged — the accused are between the ages of 18 to 26, and one is 17 years old.
The charges vary from trespass under the Provincial Offences Act and those under the Criminal Code including possession of weapons dangerous, possession of explosives to be used in a dangerous capacity (related to the fireworks), and drug offences. Police said they also seized replica firearms on some individuals.
“In the eyes of the Criminal Code when you are using a firework to shoot at another person, it’s perceived as a weapon in terms of the Criminal Code,” Const. Bell said.
He said some people also ran into the roadway to escape the fireworks. At one point, a stretch of Queen Street East was closed.
In a social media post shared just before 8 p.m. on Monday, Peel Regional Police (PRP) said the park was closed on Victoria Day due to “large, unsafe gatherings and use of fireworks.”
“Effective immediately, park is closed,” police added. “All individuals in the park are to leave the area.”
In an update shared just before 11 p.m., PRP said crowds had dispersed and that some police resourced would remain in the area. The park was slated to reopen to the public on Tuesday.
The 40-acre recreation area sits in the centre of the city, near Bramalea Road and Queen Street East. It is known for hosting a large fireworks display on national holidays like Canada Day.
In recent years, unruly crowds have taken over the park with some young people shooting fireworks towards each other and bystanders. In 2022, city officials approved a year-round ban on the personal sale, use and possession of fireworks.