Brawl at Winnipeg Jets game: fan and staff injured; 2 charged with assault

Two Manitobans are facing various assault charges following a brawl at a Winnipeg Jets game Tuesday night that was widely shared on social media.

The Winnipeg Police Service says alcohol is believed to be a factor in the fight that took place in the stands at Canada Life Centre during the NHL game between the Jets and Colorado Avalanche.

Videos shared online appear to show at least one fan involved wearing an Avalanche jersey.

At one point, a fan being grabbed by another stumbles backwards and appears to hit their head on the boards down at ice level.

“Oh my God, look at all the blood,” one person can be heard saying from the opposite end of the ice, where the incident was being filmed.

Security personnel and police arrive and can be seen escorting at least two people out of the stands.

Video of the fight available here.

In a statement, WPS confirmed it helped the arena’s security staff evict the “uncooperative patrons” from the building.

Police say at the heart of the brawl were a 34-year-old Winnipeg man and a 28-year-old woman from The Pas.

“Officers placed the suspects under arrest and escorted them from the stands,” police said. “While in custody, the uncooperative female spat at one of the arresting officers requiring the application of a spit mask to prevent further assault.”

Investigators determined the suspects were “causing a disturbance during the game” and needed to be removed.

Two security staff personnel – a 50-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man – were allegedly assaulted while attempting to detain the suspects.

“Both victims suffered minor upper-body injuries due to the assault and received medical attention at the scene,” WPS said.

Investigators also determined the fan who stumbled over – a 54-year-old man – “intervened to assist security when the male suspect assaulted him.”

That victim suffered a laceration to his head, police say. He was taken to hospital.

Police say the suspects and victims were not known to each other.

The 34-year-old man from Winnipeg was charged with two counts of assaults and resisting a peace officer. The 28-year-old woman from The Pas was charged with two counts of assault, assaulting a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.

Both were released on undertakings as mandated by the Criminal Code.

Winnipeg went on to win the game 5-0.