At least one assault, damaged RCMP vehicles at country party, police say

EAST STREET. PAUL – Manitoba RCMP are investigating a large house party in a rural area outside of Winnipeg that they believe resulted in at least one assault and significant damage to property and police vehicles.

Red River North RCMP say they responded to numerous calls Saturday night about a house party involving several hundred youths in East St. Paul, Manitoba.

Police said in a written statement that when officers arrived they were swarmed by around 70 youths who appeared to be intoxicated.

Police say several revelers jumped on two RCMP vehicles and kicked the windshield of one and badly damaged the roof and hood of the other.

Some bystanders also hurled racial slurs at visible minority officers, spat at officers at the scene, and threw fireworks at officers and their vehicles.

RCMP say officers also found an intoxicated young woman in a nearby bush where they allege two young men were attempting to sexually assault her.

The two men fled when the police arrived and the young woman was treated for serious injuries in hospital, according to the police.

“Some of the young people at this party were in vulnerable states and clearly in danger, but many of those present were preventing our officers from doing their job. We are very concerned that there may be more victims of crime that night,” said Staff Sergeant. Kyle McFadyen with the Selkirk RCMP.

RCMP officers from other districts were called in to assist with general patrol officers from the Winnipeg Police.

No police were injured.

“What happened on Saturday and what our officers faced is unacceptable. The level of violence and racist language directed at responding officers is beyond disturbing,” said Superintendent John Duf.

He added that the RCMP were reviewing police video and audio as well as videos posted on social media.

Damage to the residence, property and police vehicle was extensive, the statement said. They didn’t have a total dollar amount for the damage.

Police said the owner was out of town at the time and was cooperating with police.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 31, 2022.

TO SHARE: