The man who called police on a Simcoe, Ont., neighbour after he got sprayed with a water gun — resulting in an assault charge against her — says there’s more to the story and he has the security footage to prove it.
Sheehan Rochester, 49, told CBC News he’s experienced years of racially fuelled harassment by a group of neighbours that escalated to what he alleged was an assault on Sept. 1.
Rochester is accusing Wendy Washik of intentionally spraying him, which she says was an accident.
“It was kind of to strip me of my integrity, to strip me of my dignity,” Rochester said of the incident.
“We have a right to live in our home in peace … we don’t need to be accosted where we live.”
Washik, 58, told The Canadian Press earlier this month that she was having a playful water gun fight with a child during a neighbourhood gathering when she accidentally sprayed Rochester in the chest.
Washik said that, despite her apologies, he called police. After Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrived, Washik said the officers didn’t ask her “a single question” and charged her with assault with a weapon — since then, that charge has been changed to assault.
But Rochester’s security footage appears to show a different version of events.
‘Very strange and creepy’
Around 6 p.m. ET, Rochester is setting up his lawnmower on his front lawn when Washik walks over, the footage appears to show. No other people can be seen.
She stands at the end of his lawn and is heard saying, “Hey, how’s it going?”
Rochester doesn’t appear to respond and begins mowing his lawn while Washik watches him for several minutes, occasionally waving.
“It was very strange and creepy,” he told CBC.
Sheehan Rochester, 49, told CBC News’s Philip Lee-Shanok that he’s experienced years of racially fuelled harassment by a group of neighbours that escalated to what he alleged was an assault on Sept. 1.
Then, a boy crosses from the other side of the street and Washik appears to ask him for a water gun, making a flicking motion with her hands in the direction of Rochester.
The footage doesn’t capture the side of the house, where Rochester alleges he was intentionally sprayed.
At 7:30 p.m., police pull up and Rochester carries his weed whacker out of the frame.
Washik’s interaction with police is at least 20 minutes, the footage shows. The officers are seen talking to Washik and other neighbours.
In the background, a man is heard swearing and yelling at Rochester that he’s a coward.
Washik also swears and yells an insult directed at Rochester’s house.
Accused calls neighbour ‘problematic’
Rochester said this incident is part of a “mob mentality” against him and his family, and he’s chosen not to engage with a group of neighbours, including Washik. He said he’s called police about 14 times in recent years and police have encouraged him to report issues.
He’s reported people trying to start fights with him and when he was called a racial slur, he said. Rochester said he and his wife also faced comments that she “should be embarrassed to be married to a Black man.”
“It’s hate. You can’t just go around calling people names and racial slurs,” Rochester said. “I feel like we are being targeted, and I have a young family and I have to do what I have to do to protect my family.”
Washik has described Rochester to CBC News as a “problematic neighbour,” and suggested there was a language barrier despite the fact both speak fluent English.
CBC News spoke to Washik on Friday about Rochester’s version of events. She said she stands by her story.
“I’ve never spoken to him other than to say ‘hi’ and be ignored,” Washik said. “We’re suffering a lot for a little bit of water.”
OPP declines comment amid court processes
In the weeks since the water-gun incident, she’s raised $6,700 to help pay for her legal fees, with a goal of $20,000, according to a crowdfunding website.
An online petition calling for the charge against Washik to be dropped has received at least 2,680 signatures.
Washik works as an educational assistant with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and cannot return to work until the case is settled, she said.
The OPP declined to comment, saying it would be “inappropriate” as the court processes are ongoing.
Washik’s next court appearance is in December.
Rochester said that since Washik has spoken to the media, the impact on him and his family has been “painful” and “devastating,” with violent threats made against them online.
“I wish Ms. Washik would speak the truth,” he said. “The impact she’s had is wide reaching.”