Updated August 6, 2026 @ 10:24am
Update - Aug 6, 2026
Barrie Police are asking a second youth believed to have been involved in a waterfront assault to come forward.
Police say this is connected to an alleged assault involving a 16-year-old girl around 10 p.m. on July 31 near Lakeshore Drive and Victoria Street.
A 15-year-old girl has already been charged with assault in connection with the case.
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The assault happened around 10 p.m. Friday, with police previously saying the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated and released.
Investigators have also raised concerns about video of the incident circulating on social media.
Police say several people gathered around during the assault, cheering, encouraging those involved, and recording what happened instead of calling for help.
Police are reminding the public that because those involved are under 18, identifying information about any youth accused, victims, or witnesses cannot be shared under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
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Update - Aug 5, 2026
Barrie Police arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged assault of a 16-year-old girl along the city's waterfront.
Police say a 15-year-old girl has been charged with assault.
This incident, according to investigators, happened around 10 p.m. on Friday in the area of Lakeshore Drive and Victoria Street.
Police say the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and released.
"Through the investigation, police learned of a video circulating on social media of the assault. Barrie Police are deeply concerned, not only by the violent nature of the assault, but also by the actions of those who witnessed it. Several individuals crowded around as the assault took place, cheering, encouraging the aggressors, and recording on their cell phones," police said in a news release on Wednesday. "In moments of crisis, choosing compassion over clicks can make a critical difference."
The investigation remains ongoing in relation to any additional suspects who may have been involved.
The identities of those involved are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
Police remind the public and media partners that under the YCJA, it is a serious offence to publish, post, or share identifying details about a young offender or any witnesses or victims under the age of 18. These restrictions apply to social media, digital publications, and broadcasting.
Original story - Aug 4, 2026
Barrie Police are investigating an alleged assault involving a 16-year-old girl - and are now speaking out about the people who recorded the incident and cheered instead of calling for help.
Police say the assault happened around 10 p.m. Friday near Lakeshore Drive and Victoria Street.
The teen suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators are trying to identify two suspects. Both are female and believed to be around 16 years old.
Police say they are aware of a video of the incident circulating on social media, and are asking people not to repost it or share it.
They say the video includes youths who could be easily identified, which could be a violation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
In a video posted to social media, Barrie Police Staff Sgt. Aaron Geertsma said officers are extremely concerned after seeing what happened around the alleged assault.
"Extremely concerned when you watch the video of this fight, the amount of people that are actively participating by videotaping and cheering people on and that nobody stepped in," Geertsma said.
"It's extremely disturbing to see."
The officer said people should not put themselves in danger by physically getting involved in an active assault, but they should contact police or look for help.
“We’re not condoning that you need to get involved into an active assault yourself, but standing by and cheering it on is just not acceptable,” the Staff Sgt. said.
Police are also asking anyone who recorded the incident on their cellphone to provide that video to investigators.
“We’re investigating this as a serious incident and that we would appreciate the cooperation of receiving the evidence that you’ve obtained with your cell phones,” Geertsma added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrie Police at 705-725-7025 or the investigating officer via email at rmartinelli@barriepolice.ca.
