On July 13th at 6:15 PM Brandon Police received a call of a male and female arguing from within a bush at the Discovery Centre. The 37-year-old female was breaching No Contact conditions with the 40-year-old male. She was arrested, held in detention cells at Brandon Police Service (BPS) and [attended] court in the morning on July 14th, 2025.
The Sunday evening incident involved a Brandon resident who was walking along the trails at the Discovery Center with her two children. The threesome had been walking from the bridge back to the park when they heard what sounded like a man and a woman arguing in the trees directly beside the path they were intending to go down.
As the argument escalated the woman and her children immediately returned to the bridge and when she heard the man threaten physical harm to the woman in the trees, she phoned the Riverbank for someone to come and get her and her children in the golf cart, and to call the police.
A quick call back from Riverbank staff alerted them to the unsafe nature of the situation for a golf cart to come to the bridge, and they were advised to start running in the opposite direction of the two people arguing in the trees.
Brandon Police were called and eventually the woman and her children were picked up by Riverbank staff.
Sharing her story on social media has brought much attention to this harrowing experience for this family. The woman shared how what started out to be a fun adventure with her children turned into something that left her feeling alone, vulnerable and violated. The fear that she and her two children felt left them all very shaken, to say the least.
One piece of advice she shared with her Facebook followers was to be mindful of their surroundings and to keep their phone on them as you never know when you'll need it.
As the Brandon Police report stated, the woman was arrested, held in detention at Brandon Police Service (BPS) and attended court Monday morning.
In response to this incident and to the social media post, and to the many comments left, Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates shared his thoughts:
"We are aware of the concerns raised regarding this incident, and we want to acknowledge the fear and uncertainty this situation understandably caused," shared Chief Bates. "First and foremost, we commend the individual involved for trusting their instincts, prioritizing their children's safety, and seeking help immediately."
"Situations like these are unsettling, and we want to assure the public that the safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to the Brandon Police Service. If you ever witness or are involved in a situation that feels unsafe, please call law enforcement right away. Early notification allows officers to respond as quickly as possible and assess the situation to ensure everyone’s safety. We also encourage the public to remain aware of their surroundings when out in public spaces. While incidents like this are uncommon, being alert and having a charged phone available to contact emergency services is always a smart practice," added Chief Bates.
"We thank those who have shared their experiences. While it is unfortunate that this incident occurred, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community vigilance and support. As always, if anyone has information related to any incidents, we encourage them to contact BPS directly."
"Stay safe, Brandon. We are here for you, our proactive patrols and the immediacy of our response capacity within the City of Brandon are but a phone call away."
Chief Tyler Bates
Brandon Police Service