Yes, you read that correctly.
Water gun = Assault Weapon (in Canada).
A 58-year-old woman in Simcoe, Ontario, is facing an assault with a weapon charge after she accidentally sprayed a grumpy neighbor with a water gun.
Wendy Washik loves kids and works as an educational assistant. When she noticed some youngsters were goofing off, she decided to join in on what was supposed to be a harmless water-gun fight. As she chased one of the kids in the yard, she accidentally sprayed her neighbor, who was cutting his grass.
She told CTV News that she "kept apologizing and apologizing" (a very Canadian thing to do) but the neighbor screamed at her and called the cops.
(This guy must be really fun at parties.)
I mean, just look at these terrifying assault weapons!
CTV News / screenshot
Thankfully, no one was killed.
Police showed up shortly after and charged her with, I kid you not, assault with a weapon. She says the police spoke to the neighbor but didn't ask her or anyone else any questions about what happened.
I was in shock. I just couldn't believe it. I kept saying to the police officer, 'It was a water gun. I didn't do it intentionally. I was having a water gun fight!' I just couldn't believe it.
Washik says she has cried herself to sleep "many nights" over the stress and financial hardship this has caused her and her family.
Her school board has put her on leave!
I've been very stressed, mentally and financially stressed. My family has been through a lot too.
Cops taking this assault charge seriously may sound ridiculous to any sane human being, but sadly, it's not surprising anymore.
CTV spoke with Monte MacGregor, who wasn't involved but had lots to say.
Am I surprised that the charge has been laid? No. But do I recognize that it's an unfortunate and almost meaningless waste of resources? Yes, because they didn't interview her, right?
...
[The Crown] is not supposed to adjudicate the situation either, right? And at this point they have one aggrieved person, the guy who said, ‘Well, she hit me intentionally with a gun.' She's got a defence, but it still may warrant a trial. It's an unfortunate waste of resources, but you know, the justice system is to serve everyone.
Several neighbors, including Michael MacConnachie, say the neighbor who was "assaulted" has a long history of calling the cops over minor, insignificant issues. They say the police are being weaponized against them.
One neighbor even says she and her kids cross the street to avoid walking by this guy's house.
Luckily, most people see how ridiculous this is, and Washik is getting lots of support from the public. Her husband started a GoFundMe to pay her legal bills, and it's already surpassed its $10,000 goal.
Washik is set to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Simcoe on September 24.
I am hoping and praying that it goes my way.
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