‘He just turned and shot the firework right at me’: Waterloo councillor

A Waterloo councillor was on her way home with her family after watching the drone show in Waterloo Park for Canada Day when multiple fireworks were shot at her, one hitting her in the head.

Ward 7 Councillor Julie Wright was biking when she stopped a bit away from her family after noticing a man setting off fireworks behind a fence, near families exiting the park. Wright confronted the man who was about to set one off when he turned around and shot it directly at her.

Wright had multiple fireworks shot at her from about 6 to 8 feet away when she ducked and one struck her on the ear and cheek, she said.

Waterloo Regional Police have since released a photo of a man they’d like to identify in relation to the incident, which is now under investigation. It’s alleged that man was also involved in an a physical assault incident on the same night, injuring a second victim.

“Luckily, I was okay, I didn’t catch it in the eye, it didn’t cause a significant burn. It’s just the sheer surprise of someone shooting a firework at you and this is happening frequently now,” Wright told CityNews Kitchener in an interview.

“I could smell singed hair and I obviously had a sore spot, but I reached up and it didn’t feel like there was a significant burn or any blood or anything like that.”

She then called 9-1-1 and was on the phone with an operator during the incident, which is when the suspect fled the scene. Wright left the park, and was on a city street nearby trying to warn other people in the area to be cautious.

Wright’s family caught up to her which is when they noticed the suspect running down another street near them, roman candles in hand. They were able to take photos to give to Waterloo Regional Police.

“People were very orderly, you know getting out of the park in the dark, it was a pretty lovely moment in Waterloo and then to have this happen on my way home is a shocker.”

Wright called the incident alarming, considering it coincides with events happening at the same time downtown Kitchener that night.

“Some other municipalities have instituted a firework ban and it’s obviously a growing problem, I just didn’t think we were there, here in Waterloo and apparently we are,” said Wright.

She added she is looking forward to having conversations with fellow councillors and their counterparts at the City of Kitchener about whether a firework ban is needed. She will also be talking to WRPS and the City of Waterloo fire chief.

“We’re going to take the time to get a better picture of what’s going on and to figure out what’s going to work, I mean there are other municipalities who have already instituted bans on fireworks. Is that working for them? I’d like to know.”

Wright said the event was not targeted at her as a ward councillor: she just happened to be the one to confront the man.

The City of Waterloo CAO, Tim Anderson, released the following statement to CityNews Kitchener:

“The City of Waterloo is disappointed about the fireworks incident that occurred on Canada Day involving Councillor Wright, and we are relieved that she was not seriously injured. The City does not condone any actions that jeopardize the safety of our residents. It’s unfortunate that a few individuals would seek to disrupt what is intended to be a celebration of Canada and our city. The City’s fireworks bylaw promotes the safe use of fireworks only on specific holidays.  Given the nature of this incident the police are investigating further, as it falls under their jurisdiction.”

Chief of Police, Mark Crowell was on the Mike Farwell show July 2 and discussed the firework incidents that took place on Canada Day around the region during the ‘Ask the Chief’ hour.

“We’re talking about violence, just irresponsible, bad decisions. We need to have all sectors, systems working together to ensure that were giving youth the best hand up and the best chance of success and sometimes there’s corrections that need to be made along the way.”