OPP charges Simcoe woman with assault with a weapon — for shooting a water gun!
Rebel News recently visited the quiet Simcoe community and spoke to neighbours on and off camera. Not a single person had anything good to say about the so-called 'victim.'
Earlier this month on a hot and humid Saturday summer afternoon, Simcoe, Ont., resident Wendy Washik was playing with the neighbourhood kids. At one point, the 58-year-old educational assistant was chasing one of the kids with a water gun.
Everybody was having jolly good fun in the sun, except, alas, the man at who resides at the house next door to where the neighbourhood barbecue was taking place. And what was initially innocent summertime frolicking turned sour after Washik accidentally squirted the neighbour who was cutting the grass at the time.
Even though Washik profusely apologized, the man was enraged by the “attack.” As well, he proceeded to dial 9-1-1, contacting the Ontario Provincial Police. He apparently claimed he had been physically assaulted. (This was not the first time this man called the cops regarding trivial slights – more on that later.)
Within minutes, an OPP cruiser arrived at the scene. And, incredibly, the cops were not interested in hearing Washik’s side of the story. They instead slapped her with a criminal charge of “assault with a weapon.” Let that sink in for a moment. The “weapon” was a plastic squirt gun; the “ammunition” was H2O. Yet, somehow an accidental contact with water was grounds for an assault with a weapon charge. Keep in mind this so-called crime happened on Sept. 1, not April the first.
Needless to say, Washik could not believe what had unfolded. Nor could her husband, who happens to be a retired OPP officer himself. And judging by the response on social media, it would appear that virtually nobody currently residing on planet earth can believe this outrageous and egregious nonsense took place either.
It gets worse: the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, which employs the 58-year-old Washik, suspended her, perhaps thinking that this otherwise law-abiding citizen might be too much of a “risk” around students until she is proven not guilty.
As well, Washik turned to GoFundMe to raise money for her legal defence costs. Shockingly, apparently due to the “criminality” involved in the Washik matter, GoFundMe recently pulled the plug on her online fundraiser. (Golly, where have we heard that one before?) In the meantime, Washik has since established a GiveSendGo account to facilitate fundraising.
Rebel News recently visited the quiet Simcoe community and spoke to neighbours on and off camera. Not a single person had anything good to say about the so-called “victim”.
The man was routinely described as being belligerent, profane, and vulgar. He allegedly hates it when elementary school-age kids play on the quiet street, and he regularly uses copious quantities of F-bombs to convey his displeasure. He also allegedly hates dogs and has been known to verbally abuse dog walkers passing by his property.
And get this: barely a week goes by in which this man does not call the cops. Incredibly, the OPP dutifully respond; sometimes more than a single cruiser converges upon the street to investigate such “crimes” as a wayward soccer ball landing in his front yard.
Yet, for whatever reason, the cops never charge this man with abusing the 9-1-1 emergency services line. Why would that be? Surely this qualifies as mischief.
We wanted to get the complainant’s side of the story, so we paid a visit to his house. Unlike all the other homes in the neighbourhood, a few things stood out: we counted at least six surveillance cameras. Signs warned of “no dogs” and “no trespassing.” He was also the only house in the neighbourhood with an iron fence erected on the front lawn.
Alas, nobody was home. Neighbours say they haven’t seen the family for several days, and on the porch, there were parcels that had yet to be taken inside. Could it be that given the massive publicity surrounding this surreal “crime,” the man and his family are laying low somewhere other than Simcoe? If so, talk about dishing it out but not being able to take it. And, really, how cowardly is that?
Yet, in the final analysis, the question arises: who do you have more contempt for: a man who appears to be the stereotypical neighbourhood bully and is using law enforcement to aid and abet his bullying? Or those inept Keystone Cops who actually pressed charges against Wendy Washik?
Washik’s first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24. Stay tuned…
https://www.rebelnews.com/opp_charges_s ... _water_gun
OPP charges Simcoe woman with assault with a water gun!
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OPP charges Simcoe woman with assault with a water gun!
by Thomas » Thu Sep 26, 2024 12:39 pm
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Squirt gun spray costs Simcoe woman her job after OPP lay as
by Thomas » Thu Sep 26, 2024 1:34 pm
Squirt gun spray costs Simcoe woman her job after OPP lay assault charge
A Labour Day party in Simcoe came to an abrupt end after a neighbour became collateral damage during a squirt gun fight.
Wendy Washik says she was having fun playing with a ten-year-old during a block party before her life was turned upside down.
“I was pumping the water in the gun, trying to figure out the gun and trying to spray him at the same time. Unfortunately, while I was doing that I hit the neighbour that was maybe three feet away from me. He was out cutting his grass and the water hit his chest,” she recalled to CHCH News.
“I was apologizing over and over and over again, because it was not intentional to hit him with the water.”
Despite her apology, officers from the Norfolk County OPP detachment arrived on scene and charged Washik with assault with a weapon.
Washik says the charge has caused her to be suspended from her job as an educational assistant at a nearby school.
“It’s been awful. I’ve kept myself up too many nights not sleeping, crying myself to sleep,” Washik said.
In a release, the force says it determined that two individuals were involved in a dispute, “resulting in the victim being physically assaulted. No injuries were reported.”
The report from the department made no mention of the weapon, and when asked for further details on the matter, it said that “details of the weapon are not generally shared with the public.”
A GoFundMe which was launched in an effort to raise funds for Washik’s lawyer fees recounts the officers decision to press charges as a result of them being “young” and “incompetent.”
However, the OPP responded by saying it takes pride in its “professionalism and thoroughness.”
“We were never interviewed. We were never asked one single question and I was told to come out to the police car and [that] I was being charged with assault,” Washik said.
Washik is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 24.
https://www.chch.com/squirt-gun-spray-c ... lt-charge/
A Labour Day party in Simcoe came to an abrupt end after a neighbour became collateral damage during a squirt gun fight.
Wendy Washik says she was having fun playing with a ten-year-old during a block party before her life was turned upside down.
“I was pumping the water in the gun, trying to figure out the gun and trying to spray him at the same time. Unfortunately, while I was doing that I hit the neighbour that was maybe three feet away from me. He was out cutting his grass and the water hit his chest,” she recalled to CHCH News.
“I was apologizing over and over and over again, because it was not intentional to hit him with the water.”
Despite her apology, officers from the Norfolk County OPP detachment arrived on scene and charged Washik with assault with a weapon.
Washik says the charge has caused her to be suspended from her job as an educational assistant at a nearby school.
“It’s been awful. I’ve kept myself up too many nights not sleeping, crying myself to sleep,” Washik said.
In a release, the force says it determined that two individuals were involved in a dispute, “resulting in the victim being physically assaulted. No injuries were reported.”
The report from the department made no mention of the weapon, and when asked for further details on the matter, it said that “details of the weapon are not generally shared with the public.”
A GoFundMe which was launched in an effort to raise funds for Washik’s lawyer fees recounts the officers decision to press charges as a result of them being “young” and “incompetent.”
However, the OPP responded by saying it takes pride in its “professionalism and thoroughness.”
“We were never interviewed. We were never asked one single question and I was told to come out to the police car and [that] I was being charged with assault,” Washik said.
Washik is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 24.
https://www.chch.com/squirt-gun-spray-c ... lt-charge/
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Woman says she's charged with assault – over a water gun fig
by Thomas » Thu Sep 26, 2024 1:57 pm
Woman says she's charged with assault – over a water gun fight
SIMCOE – A woman says she’s in disbelief after being charged with assault with a weapon for what she calls the act of spraying a person during a water gun fight.
Wendy Washik, 58, was named by Ontario Provincial Police in a news release after a Labour Day weekend incident on Woodway Trail in Simcoe and has since been suspended from her job.
“I’m very upset that my full name was disclosed (but) the type of weapon wasn’t mentioned,” Washik said, adding she was charged with the offence without being asked a “single question.”
Ontario Provincial Police in the Norfolk County town of 15,000, located roughly an hour southeast of London, called the Sept. 1 incident a neighbour dispute and said one person was “physically assaulted” but no injuries were reported.
OPP spokesperson Const. Andrew Gamble said details about what kinds of weapons are involved in charges are not generally shared with the public unless there’s a specific safety concern or a way it could help an investigation.
In a GoFundMe post aimed at helping Washik raise money for legal fees, Washik’s daughter, Randi Washik, said her mother was part of a water gun fight with some neighbouring children when another neighbour was hit with a “rogue spray of water.”
Reads the post: “There was clearly no intent to injure anyone during this harmless activity.”
When police arrived, mom-of-two Washik – an educational assistant who works with children with developmental disabilities – was criminally charged.
“Wendy Washik is an outstanding example of an ideal citizen within the community and it is outrageous that she has been burdened with these slanderous accusations,” the GoFundMe post states.
It indicates she’s been suspended from her 25-year career as an educational assistant and alleges the charges are unnecessary. The fundraising page, shared on community social media groups, had raised more than $2,600 as of Sunday.
Const. Gamble said every case is thoroughly investigated to ensure it’s handled appropriately.
“We are committed to maintaining high standards in our investigative work, regardless of how the public may perceive the allocation of resources,” he said. “Our focus remains on doing our job effectively, ensuring that each case receives the attention it deserves, regardless of public perception.”
Washik is scheduled to appear for the first time in Simcoe court on Sept. 24.
https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/wom ... -gun-fight
SIMCOE – A woman says she’s in disbelief after being charged with assault with a weapon for what she calls the act of spraying a person during a water gun fight.
Wendy Washik, 58, was named by Ontario Provincial Police in a news release after a Labour Day weekend incident on Woodway Trail in Simcoe and has since been suspended from her job.
“I’m very upset that my full name was disclosed (but) the type of weapon wasn’t mentioned,” Washik said, adding she was charged with the offence without being asked a “single question.”
Ontario Provincial Police in the Norfolk County town of 15,000, located roughly an hour southeast of London, called the Sept. 1 incident a neighbour dispute and said one person was “physically assaulted” but no injuries were reported.
OPP spokesperson Const. Andrew Gamble said details about what kinds of weapons are involved in charges are not generally shared with the public unless there’s a specific safety concern or a way it could help an investigation.
In a GoFundMe post aimed at helping Washik raise money for legal fees, Washik’s daughter, Randi Washik, said her mother was part of a water gun fight with some neighbouring children when another neighbour was hit with a “rogue spray of water.”
Reads the post: “There was clearly no intent to injure anyone during this harmless activity.”
When police arrived, mom-of-two Washik – an educational assistant who works with children with developmental disabilities – was criminally charged.
“Wendy Washik is an outstanding example of an ideal citizen within the community and it is outrageous that she has been burdened with these slanderous accusations,” the GoFundMe post states.
It indicates she’s been suspended from her 25-year career as an educational assistant and alleges the charges are unnecessary. The fundraising page, shared on community social media groups, had raised more than $2,600 as of Sunday.
Const. Gamble said every case is thoroughly investigated to ensure it’s handled appropriately.
“We are committed to maintaining high standards in our investigative work, regardless of how the public may perceive the allocation of resources,” he said. “Our focus remains on doing our job effectively, ensuring that each case receives the attention it deserves, regardless of public perception.”
Washik is scheduled to appear for the first time in Simcoe court on Sept. 24.
https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/wom ... -gun-fight
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Man says woman intentionally sprayed him with water gun in O
by Thomas » Sun Sep 29, 2024 1:50 pm
Man says woman intentionally sprayed him with water gun in Ontario neighbourhood where he's faced harassment
Wendy Washik, facing assault charge, denies water-spraying Sheehan Rochester on purpose
The man who called police on a Simcoe, Ont., neighbour after he got sprayed with a water gun — resulting in an assault charge against her — says there's more to the story and he has the security footage to prove it.
Sheehan Rochester, 49, told CBC News he's experienced years of racially fuelled harassment by a group of neighbours that escalated to what he alleged was an assault on Sept. 1.
Rochester is accusing Wendy Washik of intentionally spraying him, which she says was an accident.
"It was kind of to strip me of my integrity, to strip me of my dignity," Rochester said of the incident.
"We have a right to live in our home in peace … we don't need to be accosted where we live."
Washik, 58, told The Canadian Press earlier this month that she was having a playful water gun fight with a child during a neighbourhood gathering when she accidentally sprayed Rochester in the chest.
Washik said that, despite her apologies, he called police. After Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrived, Washik said the officers didn't ask her "a single question" and charged her with assault with a weapon — since then, that charge has been changed to assault.
But Rochester's security footage appears to show a different version of events.
'Very strange and creepy'
Around 6 p.m. ET, Rochester is setting up his lawnmower on his front lawn when Washik walks over, the footage appears to show. No other people can be seen.
She stands at the end of his lawn and is heard saying, "Hey, how's it going?"
Rochester doesn't appear to respond and begins mowing his lawn while Washik watches him for several minutes, occasionally waving.
"It was very strange and creepy," he told CBC.
Then, a boy crosses from the other side of the street and Washik appears to ask him for a water gun, making a flicking motion with her hands in the direction of Rochester.
The footage doesn't capture the side of the house, where Rochester alleges he was intentionally sprayed.
At 7:30 p.m., police pull up and Rochester carries his weed whacker out of the frame.
Washik's interaction with police is at least 20 minutes, the footage shows. The officers are seen talking to Washik and other neighbours.
In the background, a man is heard swearing and yelling at Rochester that he's a coward.
Washik also swears and yells an insult directed at Rochester's house.
Accused calls neighbour 'problematic'
Rochester said this incident is part of a "mob mentality" against him and his family, and he's chosen not to engage with a group of neighbours, including Washik. He said he's called police about 14 times in recent years and police have encouraged him to report issues.
He's reported people trying to start fights with him and when he was called a racial slur, he said. Rochester said he and his wife also faced comments that she "should be embarrassed to be married to a Black man."
"It's hate. You can't just go around calling people names and racial slurs," Rochester said. "I feel like we are being targeted, and I have a young family and I have to do what I have to do to protect my family."
Washik has described Rochester to CBC News as a "problematic neighbour," and suggested there was a language barrier despite the fact both speak fluent English.
CBC News spoke to Washik on Friday about Rochester's version of events. She said she stands by her story.
"I've never spoken to him other than to say 'hi' and be ignored," Washik said. "We're suffering a lot for a little bit of water."
OPP declines comment amid court processes
In the weeks since the water-gun incident, she's raised $6,700 to help pay for her legal fees, with a goal of $20,000, according to a crowdfunding website.
An online petition calling for the charge against Washik to be dropped has received at least 2,680 signatures.
Washik works as an educational assistant with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and cannot return to work until the case is settled, she said.
The OPP declined to comment, saying it would be "inappropriate" as the court processes are ongoing.
Washik's next court appearance is in December.
Rochester said that since Washik has spoken to the media, the impact on him and his family has been "painful" and "devastating," with violent threats made against them online.
"I wish Ms. Washik would speak the truth," he said. "The impact she's had is wide reaching."
Corrections
A previous version of this story paraphrased Rochester as saying neighbours made comments about his wife being white. In fact, Rochester said neighbours made inappropriate comments about his wife being married to a Black man.
Sep 28, 2024 1:43 PM ET
A previous version of this story said Washik was charged with assault with a weapon. The story has been updated to add that original charge was later changed to an assault charge.
Sep 28, 2024 1:44 PM ET
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton ... -1.7336585
Wendy Washik, facing assault charge, denies water-spraying Sheehan Rochester on purpose
The man who called police on a Simcoe, Ont., neighbour after he got sprayed with a water gun — resulting in an assault charge against her — says there's more to the story and he has the security footage to prove it.
Sheehan Rochester, 49, told CBC News he's experienced years of racially fuelled harassment by a group of neighbours that escalated to what he alleged was an assault on Sept. 1.
Rochester is accusing Wendy Washik of intentionally spraying him, which she says was an accident.
"It was kind of to strip me of my integrity, to strip me of my dignity," Rochester said of the incident.
"We have a right to live in our home in peace … we don't need to be accosted where we live."
Washik, 58, told The Canadian Press earlier this month that she was having a playful water gun fight with a child during a neighbourhood gathering when she accidentally sprayed Rochester in the chest.
Washik said that, despite her apologies, he called police. After Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrived, Washik said the officers didn't ask her "a single question" and charged her with assault with a weapon — since then, that charge has been changed to assault.
But Rochester's security footage appears to show a different version of events.
'Very strange and creepy'
Around 6 p.m. ET, Rochester is setting up his lawnmower on his front lawn when Washik walks over, the footage appears to show. No other people can be seen.
She stands at the end of his lawn and is heard saying, "Hey, how's it going?"
Rochester doesn't appear to respond and begins mowing his lawn while Washik watches him for several minutes, occasionally waving.
"It was very strange and creepy," he told CBC.
Then, a boy crosses from the other side of the street and Washik appears to ask him for a water gun, making a flicking motion with her hands in the direction of Rochester.
The footage doesn't capture the side of the house, where Rochester alleges he was intentionally sprayed.
At 7:30 p.m., police pull up and Rochester carries his weed whacker out of the frame.
Washik's interaction with police is at least 20 minutes, the footage shows. The officers are seen talking to Washik and other neighbours.
In the background, a man is heard swearing and yelling at Rochester that he's a coward.
Washik also swears and yells an insult directed at Rochester's house.
Accused calls neighbour 'problematic'
Rochester said this incident is part of a "mob mentality" against him and his family, and he's chosen not to engage with a group of neighbours, including Washik. He said he's called police about 14 times in recent years and police have encouraged him to report issues.
He's reported people trying to start fights with him and when he was called a racial slur, he said. Rochester said he and his wife also faced comments that she "should be embarrassed to be married to a Black man."
"It's hate. You can't just go around calling people names and racial slurs," Rochester said. "I feel like we are being targeted, and I have a young family and I have to do what I have to do to protect my family."
Washik has described Rochester to CBC News as a "problematic neighbour," and suggested there was a language barrier despite the fact both speak fluent English.
CBC News spoke to Washik on Friday about Rochester's version of events. She said she stands by her story.
"I've never spoken to him other than to say 'hi' and be ignored," Washik said. "We're suffering a lot for a little bit of water."
OPP declines comment amid court processes
In the weeks since the water-gun incident, she's raised $6,700 to help pay for her legal fees, with a goal of $20,000, according to a crowdfunding website.
An online petition calling for the charge against Washik to be dropped has received at least 2,680 signatures.
Washik works as an educational assistant with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and cannot return to work until the case is settled, she said.
The OPP declined to comment, saying it would be "inappropriate" as the court processes are ongoing.
Washik's next court appearance is in December.
Rochester said that since Washik has spoken to the media, the impact on him and his family has been "painful" and "devastating," with violent threats made against them online.
"I wish Ms. Washik would speak the truth," he said. "The impact she's had is wide reaching."
Corrections
A previous version of this story paraphrased Rochester as saying neighbours made comments about his wife being white. In fact, Rochester said neighbours made inappropriate comments about his wife being married to a Black man.
Sep 28, 2024 1:43 PM ET
A previous version of this story said Washik was charged with assault with a weapon. The story has been updated to add that original charge was later changed to an assault charge.
Sep 28, 2024 1:44 PM ET
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton ... -1.7336585
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