The final night of London’s Sunfest was overshadowed by significant disturbances, leading to police in riot gear being deployed. CTV’s Brent Lale has the details.
Two young people are now facing charges after police reported that officers were attacked with rocks, bottles, and fireworks while they responded to a disturbance during Sunfest in London, Ont., on Sunday night.
At around 11 p. m., police noticed a male setting off fireworks into a crowd at Victoria Park. As officers approached to make an arrest, they described how a large crowd grew restless and encircled them.
As the situation intensified, additional officers from the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit were called in.
sunfest – assault – london – july 2026 London police, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, were called to Victoria Park on July 12, 2026. (Source: Christopher Bogle)
According to London police, several officers were hit by rocks and bottles thrown from the crowd. One individual was reportedly seen inciting the chaos and firing off fireworks towards both law enforcement and nearby attendees.
“I heard some noises going on, some confusion, some banging and it sounded like firecrackers or something, even maybe gunshots at first,” said Christopher Bogle, who was present at Sunfest in the park.
“I saw a bunch of young people running and then I saw a bunch of police officers. Then all of a sudden it was nonstop sirens. It just went on forever. The emergency task force came in and they surrounded the whole perimeter of the park. I’ve never seen something like this in my life.”
sunfest – assault – london – july 2026 London police, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, were called to Victoria Park on July 12, 2026. (Source: Christopher Bogle)
Bogle praised the London Police Service for managing to contain the situation within the park’s boundaries.
“It was just total chaos,” he added as he recorded video footage of both crowds and law enforcement.
“It was shocking. There were kids screaming. I mean there are parents and families there enjoying themselves and this is just very sad. This shouldn’t happen in our city.”
Bogle wasn’t surprised by such a heavy police presence given that there had been a fatal shooting earlier that day at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival.
sunfest – assault – london – july 2026 London police, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, were called to Victoria Park on July 12, 2026. (Source: Christopher Bogle)
“I think almost every officer from the station showed up,” he stated honestly.
“Plainclothes officers arrived too; other officers had shields ready as if expecting trouble.”
“I’ve been filming events for quite some time now; I tried my best to stay calm. But you know what? My heart was racing and I nearly had tears because it was so shocking. It felt like panic,” shared Bogle.
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sunfest – assault – london – july 2026 London police including members of the Emergency Response Unit & Public Order Unit were called to Victoria Park on July 12th ,2026.( Source : Christopher Bogle )
Police arrested one suspect just before midnight in th e500-block o f Richmond Street. A second suspect wa sapprehended shortly af ter midnight.
A17-year-old London male i scharged with :Assaulting apeace officer withaweapon Being amember o fan unlawful assembly Obstructingapeace officer Possessingan explosive substance (fireworks)to endanger lifeA16-year-old London male i scharged with :Assaulting apeace officer withaweapon Being amember o fan unlawful assembly Obstructingapeace officerUnder provisionsofth e Youth Criminal Justice Act , the youths willnotbe identified.
No injuries werereported amongpolice ormembersof th epubl ic.
spokewith Sun fest organizers whodeclinedan interview request , but saidin astatement,“Weare awareofth eincident thatoccurrednear Central Avenueand Richmond Street. The safetyofeveryoneattending Sun fest isalwaysourhighestpriority.”
The annualfestival features “atapestryo farts, c rafts, andculinarydelightsfromaroundthe globe ,” accordingtoitswebsite.
“Wearecontinuingtoworkwithourcommunitypartnersandpoliceservices toreviewtheincident ,”organizersadded.“Questionsregardingpoliceoperationsshouldbedirectedto th e London Police Service.”
sunf est-assault-london-july-2026Londonpolice, includin gmemb ersofthe Emergency Response Unitand Public Order Unit, w erecalledt o Victoria Parkon July12 ,20 26.(S ource: Christopher B ogle)s unfe st-assau lt-london-july-2 026 Londo npo lice, includi ngmem bersofthe Emerge ncy Res ponse Un itand Public O rder Uni t, w er ec alledto Victo ria Parkon J uly12 ,20 26.(So urce: C hr istopher Bog le)su n fest-a ssault-lo ndon-july2 026London polic e, in clu dingm embersoft h e Emerg ency Respon se Un itand Publi c Orde r Unit, we recalledt o Vic toria Parko n Ju ly12 ,20 26.( So urce: C hristopher Bog le)
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sunfest – assault – london – july 2026 London police, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, were called to Victoria Park on July 12, 2026. (Source: Christopher Bogle)
Bogle praised the London Police Service for managing to contain the situation within the park’s boundaries.
“It was just total chaos,” he added as he recorded video footage of both crowds and law enforcement.
“It was shocking. There were kids screaming. I mean there are parents and families there enjoying themselves and this is just very sad. This shouldn’t happen in our city.”
Bogle wasn’t surprised by such a heavy police presence given that there had been a fatal shooting earlier that day at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair festival.
sunfest – assault – london – july 2026 London police, including members of the Emergency Response Unit and Public Order Unit, were called to Victoria Park on July 12, 2026. (Source: Christopher Bogle)
“I think almost every officer from the station showed up,” he stated honestly.
“Plainclothes officers arrived too; other officers had shields ready as if expecting trouble.”
“I’ve been filming events for quite some time now; I tried my best to stay calm. But you know what? My heart was racing and I nearly had tears because it was so shocking. It felt like panic,” shared Bogle.
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