City police have arrested and charged a 20-year-old Sarnia man following an incident that involved a handgun and bear spray in Canatara Park on Thursday night.
Police allege a group of males entered the park in a white Dodge Ram pick-up truck and a brown/burgundy Ford F-150 -- with the intention of confronting an individual -- at around 7:30 p.m.
Once the group approached the person, a bystander allegedly intervened attempting to deescalate the situation.
Police allege the accused returned to his vehicle, retrieved some items, and reapproached the targeted individual with a black handgun drawn.
Officers allege the accused was stopped by his friends.
When the targeted individual fled, police allege the group redirected its attention to the bystander who was punched in the face, sprayed by the accused with bear spray and attacked by the group of six or seven people.
The victim was taken by Lambton EMS to Bluewater Health for decontamination and treatment. Police said injuries from the assault consisted of bruising and swelling.
Sarnia police said members of Major Case Action Team and the Emergency Response Team arrested Roderick (Mikey) Bressette on Friday.
Bressette is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a prohibited device, assault and assault with a weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, failure to comply with a release order and administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm.
Sarnia police said Bressette was also arrested in relation to outstanding warrants originating from York Region for possession of a prohibited weapon.
Officers said the intended target, the victim and the accused are known to one another and they believe this incident is tied to previous investigations they've undertaken where criminal charges were laid.
Sarnia police continue to investigate and believe there were many people in the area -- which they say is popular for the Sarnia streetcar scene -- when the incident occurred.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, has cell phone footage, or in car camera footage is asked to come forward.
The Criminal Investigations Division is still attempting to identify other individuals who participated in the assault.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Jason Boyd of the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigations Division at 519-344-8861 extension 6209.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 519-332-TIPS (8477) or online at www.p3tips.com.