According to Mounties, at approximately 10 p.m., officers with the Red River North detachment began receiving multiple calls about a large party at a home on Saddleridge Lane in East St. Paul, located just outside the Winnipeg city limits. When officers arrived at the scene, their vehicles were overwhelmed by approximately 70 intoxicated youths, with many people jumping into the RCMP vehicles. Video of the scene seen by CTV News Winnipeg showed a young man jumping onto a vehicle with enough force to break a windshield. RCMP said another vehicle sustained heavy damage to its roof and hood. Officers estimated there were several hundred people at the party, and RCMP officers from Selkirk, Oakbank, Central Traffic Services and Police Dog Services, along with members of the Winnipeg Police Service, were called in as backup. “Racial epithets were directed at the visible minority officers who responded to the scene, officers spat and fired fireworks at them and their police vehicles,” the RCMP said in a statement. “Excessive drug use was evident to the officers as was a serious level of intoxication in many of the party goers.” RCMP said they also found an intoxicated woman dragged into a bush where two male teenagers tried to sexually assault her. The teenagers fled when police intervened and the girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries. RCMP said some of the teenagers at the party were in “vulnerable situations” and “clearly in danger,” but said many of those in attendance were not allowing officers to do their jobs. “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 Duff, Eastern District Commander with the Manitoba RCMP, in a statement. A community resident told CTV News Winnipeg they were disappointed to see video of the party and behavior in the normally quiet community. “I don’t think any community has a place for a party that gets out of hand,” said Carla Devlin. “And it’s unfortunate that social media has this effect on parties. “Sometimes kids think they’re or even young adults think they’re, you know, sending a post to their friends. And then you know, it goes viral. And unfortunately you have a mob mentality party.” RCMP said no officers were injured while responding to the party, but said damage to the residence, property and police vehicles was significant. They added that the homeowner was out of town at the time of the party, but is cooperating with police. RCMP are also reviewing video of the event that was posted on social media. Anyone with information about the incident or if they were the victim of a crime that night is asked to call the RCMP at 204-482-1222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
