A London man is facing charges after an unprovoked attack in the downtown that left two people, including a police officer, hurt.
The incident began around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, when three young men were approached by a man they did not know in the area of Richmond and Dundas streets. The unknown man allegedly punched one of the young men and when the trio tried to walk away he chased them yelling threats.
One of the young men dropped his cellphone which the unknown man proceeded to damage.
The men spotted a police cruiser in the area of Clarence and Dundas streets and asked the officers for help.
"When the officers exited their vehicle, the suspect male threw a large rock towards one of the officers, narrowly missing his head. The rock struck the police cruiser," police said.
The man is then alleged to have threatened and assaulted an officer while police were trying to arrest him. He was eventually taken into custody.
A 19-year-old London man has been charged with nine offences including assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, assaulting a peace officer, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, resisting arrest, mischief under $5,000, breach of probation, and failure to comply with release order.
The man remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in London court on March 15.
The police officer and one of the three young men attacked suffered minor injuries.
Police Chief Steve Williams took to social media to commend the work of his officers in bringing an end to the violent incident.
"Police officers once again resolving a dangerous situation and being assaulted in the process. Fortunately in this case injuries were minor. Great work by all officers involved," Williams wrote on Twitter.
Police officers once again resolving a dangerous situation and being assaulted in the process. Fortunately in this case injuries were minor. Great work by all officers involved. https://t.co/qqsgGSq49N
— Steve Williams (@S_Williams001) March 11, 2022
