EAST ST. PAUL – Mounties in Manitoba are investigating a large house party in a rural area outside Winnipeg that they say resulted in at least one assault and extensive damage to the property and police vehicles.
Red River North RCMP say they responded to numerous calls on Saturday evening about a house party involving several hundred youth in East St. Paul, Man.
Police say in a written statement that when officers arrived, they were swarmed by about 70 youth who appeared to be intoxicated.
Police say multiple partygoers jumped on two RCMP vehicles and proceeded to kick in a windshield on one and badly damage the roof and hood of another.
Some in attendance also hurled racial slurs at visible minority officers, spit on police at the scene and launched fireworks at police and their vehicles.
RCMP say officers also found an intoxicated female youth in a nearby bush where they allege two male youths were attempting to sexual assault her.
Both males fled when officers arrived and the female youth was treated for serious injuries in hospital, say police.
“Some of the youth at this party were in vulnerable states and clearly in danger, yet many in attendance were preventing our officers from doing their jobs. We are very concerned that there may be more victims of crime that night,” said Staff Sgt. Kyle McFadyen with Selkirk RCMP.
RCMP officers from other districts were called in to help along with general patrol officers from Winnipeg police.
No police officers were injured.
“What occurred on Saturday and what our officers faced is unacceptable. The level of violence and the racist language directed at responding police officers is beyond disturbing,” said Supt. John Duff.
He added RCMP are reviewing police video and audio as well as videos posted on social media.
The damage to the residence, property and police vehicle was significant, said the statement. They did not have a total dollar figure amount for the damage.
Police said the homeowner was out of town at the time and is co-operating with police.
Feature image by iStock.com/SeventyFour