The person who known as police on a Simcoe, Ont., neighbour after he obtained sprayed with a water gun — leading to an assault cost in opposition to her — says there’s extra to the story and he has the safety footage to show it.
Sheehan Rochester, 49, advised Ontario Chronicle he is skilled years of racially fuelled harassment by a bunch of neighbours that escalated to what he alleged was an assault on Sept. 1.
Rochester is accusing Wendy Washik of deliberately spraying him, which she says was an accident.
“It was sort of to strip me of my integrity, to strip me of my dignity,” Rochester mentioned of the incident.
“Now we have a proper to reside in our residence in peace … we do not should be accosted the place we reside.”
Washik, 58, advised The Canadian Press earlier this month that she was having a playful water gun combat with a toddler throughout a neighbourhood gathering when she by chance sprayed Rochester within the chest.
Washik mentioned that, regardless of her apologies, he known as police. After Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrived, Washik mentioned the officers did not ask her “a single query” and charged her with assault with a weapon — since then, that cost has been modified to assault.
However Rochester’s safety footage seems to point out a special model of occasions.
‘Very unusual and creepy’
Round 6 p.m. ET, Rochester is organising his lawnmower on his entrance garden when Washik walks over, the footage seems to point out. No different individuals could be seen.
She stands on the finish of his garden and is heard saying, “Hey, how’s it going?”
Rochester does not seem to reply and begins mowing his garden whereas Washik watches him for a number of minutes, often waving.
“It was very unusual and creepy,” he advised CBC.
WATCH | Safety footage exhibits occasions main as much as water gun incident, arrest:
Ontario man speaks out about calling police on neighbour who sprayed him with water
Sheehan Rochester, 49, advised Ontario Chronicle’s Philip Lee-Shanok that he is skilled years of racially fuelled harassment by a bunch of neighbours that escalated to what he alleged was an assault on Sept. 1.
Then, a boy crosses from the opposite aspect of the road and Washik seems to ask him for a water gun, making a flicking movement along with her fingers within the course of Rochester.
The footage does not seize the aspect of the home, the place Rochester alleges he was deliberately sprayed.
At 7:30 p.m., police pull up and Rochester carries his weed whacker out of the body.
Washik’s interplay with police is not less than 20 minutes, the footage exhibits. The officers are seen speaking to Washik and different neighbours.
Within the background, a person is heard swearing and yelling at Rochester that he is a coward.
Washik additionally swears and yells an insult directed at Rochester’s home.
Accused calls neighbour ‘problematic’
Rochester mentioned this incident is a part of a “mob mentality” in opposition to him and his household, and he is chosen to not interact with a bunch of neighbours, together with Washik. He mentioned he is known as police about 14 occasions in recent times and police have inspired him to report points.
He is reported individuals making an attempt to start out fights with him and when he was known as a racial slur, he mentioned. Rochester mentioned he and his spouse additionally confronted feedback that she “must be embarrassed to be married to a Black man.”
“It is hate. You’ll be able to’t simply go round calling individuals names and racial slurs,” Rochester mentioned. “I really feel like we’re being focused, and I’ve a younger household and I’ve to do what I’ve to do to guard my household.”
Wendy Washik, who’s charged with assault, says she stands by her story, that the water-gun spraying was an accident. (Pelin Sidki/CBC)
Washik has described Rochester to Ontario Chronicle as a “problematic neighbour,” and steered there was a language barrier regardless of the very fact each converse fluent English.
Ontario Chronicle spoke to Washik on Friday about Rochester’s model of occasions. She mentioned she stands by her story.
“I’ve by no means spoken to him apart from to say ‘hello’ and be ignored,” Washik mentioned. “We’re struggling quite a bit for a little bit little bit of water.”
OPP declines remark amid courtroom processes
Within the weeks for the reason that water-gun incident, she’s raised $6,700 to assist pay for her authorized charges, with a objective of $20,000, based on a crowdfunding web site.
A web-based petition calling for the cost in opposition to Washik to be dropped has obtained not less than 2,680 signatures.
Washik works as an academic assistant with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District College Board and can’t return to work till the case is settled, she mentioned.
The OPP declined to remark, saying it might be “inappropriate” because the courtroom processes are ongoing.
Washik’s subsequent courtroom look is in December.
Rochester mentioned that since Washik has spoken to the media, the affect on him and his household has been “painful” and “devastating,” with violent threats made in opposition to them on-line.
“I want Ms. Washik would converse the reality,” he mentioned. “The affect she’s had is large reaching.”
