Updated August 9, 2025 @ 10:22am
After more than a week-long investigation centred on a homeless encampment, Barrie police said late Friday afternoon that investigators have completed their work in a wooded area bounded by Anne Street South, John Street, and Victoria Street.
The Cardwell Lake Road scene in Huntsville remains under investigation, police added in a news release.
"The scenes that have been identified have undergone and are continuing to undergo forensic analysis. This complex investigation continues to move forward while the primary suspect, who was arrested on August 2, remains in custody," according to the news release.
Police added that detectives are not yet able to share specific details of the investigation.
"It remains isolated and ongoing under the direction of the Barrie Police Service Major Crime Unit," police said.
On Friday afternoon, City of Barrie workers and trucks were at the encampment, erecting a fence that rings the wooded area that has been the focus of the police investigation.
In an email to Barrie 360, a communications spokesperson at City Hall confirmed the property was turned back to the city.
"The site was secured by city staff today, anticipating the need for a significant cleanup," the email stated.
The city has also requested the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) attend the site to conduct an inspection.
"The city is awaiting the results of their investigation," added the communications spokesperson in their email.
The suspect in this investigation is a 52-year-old man who was arrested last weekend.
A court official confirmed to Barrie 360 earlier this week that he is facing 19 criminal charges, most of which are firearm-related.
"The Barrie Police Service would like to thank the public for their continued patience during this investigative process. Further information will be shared with the public only as the investigation permits," police explained in the news release.
The City of Barrie released a statement Saturday morning confirming the wooded area between Victoria Street, John Street, and Anne Street South was turned back to the City.
The site was secured by City staff yesterday, and staff were seen surrounding the site with metal fencing, anticipating the need for significant cleanup.
The City says it requested the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks attend the site to conduct an inspection, which led to an Order under the Environmental Protection Act to close the site down.
The city added that the amount of waste that is on the site poses health and safety risks as well as environmental concerns and must be cleaned and restored.
