Restaurant customers, staff allegedly assaulted by people without proof of vaccination

A night out for some turned scary Saturday after two individuals who did not have proof of their COVID-19 vaccination allegedly became violent at a Saskatoon restaurant.

The incident impacted customers and staff at Cheesetoast Family Restaurant, located on 22nd Street West in Saskatoon’s Mount Royal neighbourhood, on Saturday.

A tweet by Blue Diamond Phillips shared at 10:59 p.m. Saturday reported they were “assaulted and spat on” when they tried to help with the situation.

“Went for lunch today. (Two) people didn’t have vax proof and loudly refused to leave,” the tweet reads. “They assaulted patrons and (two) female staff, flashed a gun, and had to be taken away by police.”

The post concluded: “I’m very worried for frontline staff.”

Kelsie Fraser, a spokesperson for the Saskatoon Police Service, confirmed in an email that officers responded to one “unknown problem” in the 2400 block of 22nd Street West over the weekend. Fraser wrote there was “some indication that it related to the proof of vaccination.”

Police said they responded to the call because their information suggested people had been assaulted and a firearm may have been present at the incident. A pellet gun was seized by officers who responded just after 3 p.m.

Fraser said her information did not indicate anything about an assault having taken place.

“The complainant did not wish to provide a statement to police or pursue charges so no charges were laid at the time,” Fraser said in an email.

Investigators are reportedly continuing to follow up on the firearm aspect of the incident. Police noted public health enforcement for incidents involving an individual failing to comply with a public health order is the responsibility of public health inspectors.