DISTURBANCE AT DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL
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Two youths facing charges
LONDON, ON (July 13, 2026) – Two youths are facing criminal charges after officers were assaulted with rocks, bottles, and fireworks during a disturbance at a downtown festival Sunday night.
On July 12, 2026, at approximately 11 pm, London Police Service officers observed a male discharging fireworks into a crowd inside Victoria Park. As officers moved in to arrest the suspect, a large crowd became agitated and surrounded them.
Additional officers, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, attended as the situation escalated. Several officers were struck by rocks and bottles thrown by individuals in the crowd. One suspect was observed to be encouraging the disorder, and discharged fireworks toward police and nearby members of the public.
Due to escalating safety concerns, the gathering was declared an unlawful assembly and officers dispersed the crowd from the area.
Police arrested one suspect shortly before midnight in the 500-block of Richmond Street. A second suspect was arrested shortly after midnight.
Several officers were struck by objects during the incident, however none were injured. No members of the public were injured.
As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old London male has been charged with:
- Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon
- Being a member of an unlawful assembly
- Obstructing a peace officer
- Possessing an explosive substance (fireworks) to endanger life
A 16-year-old London male has been charged with:
- Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon
- Being a member of an unlawful assembly
- Obstructing a peace officer
Under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the youths will not be identified.
Both of the accused remain in custody.
Investigators are seeking anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may have cellphone footage, dash-cam video, or business or residential surveillance footage that captured any portion of the disturbance.