One person arrested following Friday morning assault in Barrie

BARRIE, ONT. -

One person has been taken into custody in connection to an alleged assault in Barrie on Friday morning.

The arrest is believed to be tied to what the Downtown Barrie BIA called a verbal and physical assault against Shak Edwards, the owner of the recently opened Shak's World in the downtown core.

"I was opening the door and heard someone scream, 'how are you working when there are white women in this country not working,'" said Edwards.

The minute-long video also shows the woman yelling "get out of this [expletive]country" and "tell your Taliban friends because we have them too" towards Edwards.

When the camera is facing the pavement, Edwards says that she was punched in the head several times before two women stepped in to break up the assault.

"I am forever grateful for them," said Edwards inside Shak's World.

The two women who shielded Edwards from the attacker are Sarah Jensen and Jenn Guerin.

Both told CTV News that the woman stopped her car on Maple Avenue before charging towards Edwards, yelling racial slurs. When the woman approached Edwards, the two say, she began throwing punches.

"We were just worried about protecting Shak and making sure that she was safe because she was clearly the target," said Guerin.

"It was so surreal and happened so quickly there wasn't time to think," said Jensen.

After creating some space between the woman and Edwards, the video shows the attacker retreating to her vehicle.

Before she could flee the scene, Edwards says she went to film the vehicle's license plate to provide to police.

The vehicle can be seen in the video reversing in the direction of Edwards.

"I was thinking; I hope this lady doesn't kill me. She was so upset," said Edwards.

According to Barrie Police, the 30-year-old female suspect was arrested Friday by Orillia OPP on an unrelated matter. After that investigation, the accused was brought back to Barrie. She faces various assault charges and is being held for a bail hearing. condemn those that tear it down."

Edwards told CTV News she hopes this incident can be seen as an example of the challenges people of colour face in Barrie, but it won't discourage her from continuing to show up to work and provide a safe space for Barrie's youth.

"If I'm scared to go outside because there could be people out to get me, that's changed how we operate, but it won't stop our mission," said Edwards.

As a result of the incident, the Downtown Barrie BIA is donating $500 to Shak's World, which provides youth with a safe place for physical and mental wellness opportunities.