Suspect arrested after bear spray attack in Mishkeegogamang

(Mishkeegogamang, ON) – A man has been arrested and charged following a violent bear spray attack that injured three victims in the Mishkeegogamang First Nation.

On Saturday, October 5, members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Department, Mishkeegogamang Detachment, responded to a call regarding an assault at a residence on James Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an adult male suspect had allegedly broken into the home and attacked three people with bear spray.

Police quickly identified the suspect, Aaron Wayne Fox, 33, who was walking on James Road. With the assistance of officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Pickle Lake Detachment, a high-risk arrest was conducted and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Fox was accused of:

• Three counts of Attack with a weapon
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Break in and enter the apartment

He appeared in court on Saturday where he was remanded in custody. If convicted, Fox faces severe penalties, including prison time for each assault charge, as well as significant fines or additional prison time for weapons possession and burglary. The investigation is ongoing and the defendant is expected to appear in court again soon.

Possible penalties:

• Attack with a weapon: Punishable with up to 10 years in prison.
• Break and enter: Can result in a life sentence if the crime involves a dwelling.
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose: Punished by a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The incident raises concerns about increasing violence related to bear spray, a substance that is not classified as a firearm but is increasingly used in criminal activity in Ontario’s northern communities.