Water gun fight leads to assault charge for Ontario woman, fundraiser says

A water gun fight led to an Ontario woman being charged with assault with a weapon after a neighbour was accidentally sprayed, a fundraiser for her legal fees says.

The GoFundMe was launched after the Sept. 1 incident in Simcoe, Ont.

It says that Wendy Washik was at a neighbourhood gathering for the Labour Day long weekend where friends and children were in attendance.

During the event, Washik took part in a water gun fight with one of the neighbour’s children, the post continues.

“At some point during the water fight, a ‘problematic’ neighbour was hit with a rogue spray of water,” it reads.

“There was no intent to get the neighbour wet, and there was certainly and clearly no intent to injure anyone during this harmless activity.”

Police were called and ultimately Washik ended up being charged with assault with a weapon.

A news release from the Norfolk County OPP detachment says that at around 6:02 p.m. on Sept. 1, police responded to a neighbour dispute on Woodway Trail in Simcoe.

“It was determined that two individuals were involved in a dispute on the premises, resulting in the victim being physically assaulted,” the release says, without any mention of a water gun.

It notes that no one was injured.

“As a result, one individual was taken into custody without incident,” the release says.

It goes on to say that 58-year-old Wendy Washik was charged with assault with a weapon, and she has an upcoming court date on Sept. 24.

INsauga.com reached out to the OPP to confirm that the incident involved a water gun.

Const. Andrew Gamble declined to say, noting, “It would be inappropriate for the OPP to comment on specific details to protect the integrity of the investigation and any ensuing court processes.”

Gamble said “every situation is unique.”

“The OPP’s role is to investigate the circumstances in the full context of the call for service and determine the best course of action in accordance with its legislated responsibilities…. everyone has a right to a safe environment. The OPP is committed to serving its communities by keeping the peace and preserving public safety,” Gamble said.

Washik was since been suspended from work and now faces thousands of dollars in legal fees, the GoFundMe says.

“Wendy is an incredible mother to two, an avid church attendee. Her profession requires enduring stressful, sometimes painful days as an education assistant working with children with developmental disabilities,” the post says.

“Wendy Washik is an outstanding example of an ideal citizen within the community and it is outrageous that she has been burdened with these slanderous accusations.”

As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe had raised more than $9,500.