BayToday has seen security camera footage of a violent incident in downtown North Bay, early on Monday, July 15.
In the grainy nighttime video footage, a person on a bicycle is first jumped by two people who appear to be lying in wait. The two cross Main Street East to accost and force the person from the bike. More people arrive on the scene and the victim is beaten at the northeast intersection with Sherbrooke Street.
It appears their backpack is stolen.
During the assault, one of the attackers can be seen with their arm extended toward the victim, followed by two rapid flashes of light. The victim eventually breaks free and runs away from the downtown core up Sherbrooke and out of camera range with some of the attackers following.
One witness reported having seen a pool of blood at the intersection of Main East and Sherbrooke in the aftermath of the incident. Days later, perhaps owing to the rainfall earlier in the week no red bloodstain could be found but the outline of what could have been a stain remained.
On that block of Main East, several security cameras watch the area.
Councillor Mark King referenced the incident during Thursday's Community Safety and Well-Being committee meeting at North Bay City Hall.
"The occurrence that took place after midnight on Monday. Some of us received a video of 'shots fired,' which is very concerning," he said.
No official report about the incident has been sent to local media by police.
Asked for an update on the situation on July 17, the North Bay Police Service stated it is "currently investigating an incident that occurred in the area of Sherbrooke and Main Street East around midnight on July 15, 2024. As this is currently under investigation, NBPS cannot release any additional details."
On July 19, addressing follow-up questions from BayToday, NBPS spokesperson David Woolley said, "At this point in the investigation, we are not asking for assistance from the public. With regard to this incident, we have no reason to believe there is a threat to public safety."
