CRIME: 1)Barrie woman charged with attempted murder after stabbing; 2)Loose dogs bite man before Barrie Police reach for treats; 3)Stolen BMW found torched in Barrie school parking lot; 4)OPP bust illegal marijuana grow op in Bracebridge; 5) Barrie man charged with attempted murder after person struck by vehicle in Bradford; 6) Barrie man charged in child exploitation investigation; 7)(Update) OPP seeking driver of silver sedan in shooting at Midland apartment complex; 8)Traffic stop, public complaint lead to cannabis charges in Gravenhurst; 9) (Update) ‘It’s extremely disturbing’: Barrie Police call out those who recorded alleged teen assault instead of helping; 10) ‘They just reopen’: Barrie mayor explains new crackdown on illegal businesses
1)Barrie woman charged with attempted murder after stabbing
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, August 7, 2026
A Barrie woman is facing an attempted murder charge after an alleged stabbing on Thursday that seriously injured a female victim.
Just after 5 p.m., Barrie Police got reports of an apparent stabbing at a complex on North Street, where the victim was eventually found having sustained serious injuries. They were subsequently rushed to a Toronto-area hospital via helicopter.
After speaking to several other at the complex, police located the suspect, a 49-year-old woman from Barrie, and arrested her without incident.
Police say their investigation revealed that the two women were known to each other and had a history of conflict.
Surveillance video from inside the building reportedly showed the victim enter a stairwell with the suspect trailing with a knife. Moments later, only the suspect exited the stairwell.
2)Loose dogs bite man before Barrie Police reach for treats
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 7, 2026
A Barrie Police officer uses dog treats to lure two aggressive dogs into a fenced area before Animal Control officers capture them.
A Barrie man suffered minor injuries after being bitten by one of two aggressive dogs in a parking lot on Essa Road.
Barrie Police says they were alerted about the incident around 10 Friday morning.
Police say the 32-year-old was cornered against a parked vehicle in the parking lot before one of the dogs bit his leg.
The man was treated at hospital.
Officers say one of the dogs ran across the road and was nearly hit by oncoming vehicles. Police say they located the dogs nearby, and as officers approached, the animals became aggressive.
One of the officers came equipped with the right tool – dog treats.
The treats helped lure both dogs into a fenced area, where Animal Control officers safely captured the dogs using poles.
Police say they haven’t been able to reach the dogs’ owner, and bylaw officers have taken over the investigation.
3)Stolen BMW found torched in Barrie school parking lot
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 7, 2026
Barrie Police are investigating after a stolen vehicle was found torched in a school parking lot in the city’s south end.
Police say Barrie Fire alerted officers to the suspicious vehicle fire on Esther Drive Thursday morning.
When officers arrived around 6:45 a.m., firefighters had already put out the blaze, which had destroyed the car. A melted gas canister was found inside.
A nearby resident told police they heard a loud boom around 4:20 a.m. and later saw flames and smoke coming from the parking lot.
Investigators determined the vehicle was a black, four-door 2015 BMW that had been stolen earlier from a driveway in Brampton.
Police say the owner confirmed the car was taken without permission and that they still had the only set of keys.
Anyone with information, including video of the vehicle or the person responsible for setting the fire, is asked to contact Barrie Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
4)OPP bust illegal marijuana grow op in Bracebridge
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 7, 2026
A North York man is facing a cannabis charge after a police bust in Bracebridge.
Ontario Provincial Police say they started investigating a suspected illegal grow operation on Little Road this spring.
Police say they executed search warrants last month.
More than 4,000 cannabis plants and growing equipment were seized.
The suspect was charged with unlawfully obtaining cannabis.
5) Barrie man charged with attempted murder after person struck by vehicle in Bradford
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 7, 2026
A Barrie man is facing an attempted murder charge after police say a person was intentionally hit by a vehicle in Bradford.
South Simcoe Police say they responded to the incident in a residential neighbourhood on Thursday evening after reports that someone had been hit by a vehicle.
The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say the incident was targeted, and the victim and the accused knew each other.
Along with the attempted murder charge, the 42-year-old accused is also charged with assault with a weapon, criminal harassment, uttering threats, and dangerous operation.
He was held for a bail hearing and is to appear in court Aug. 12.
Police say this was an isolated, targeted incident and there is no threat to public safety.
6) Barrie man charged in child exploitation investigation
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 7, 2026
A 52-year-old Barrie man is facing several child exploitation charges following an investigation by the Barrie Police Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.
Police say the investigation began Tuesday after officers received information that a man had child sexual abuse and exploitation material. He was arrested without incident in the Barrie area.
The next day, police executed two search warrants, seizing a recording device from a Barrie home and a computer during a second search in the Barrie area.
The accused has been charged with possession, accessing, and making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, voyeurism, and making sexually explicit material available to a child.
Police say investigators are continuing to examine the seized electronic devices, and more charges could be laid.
Tips on how to stay safe on social media are available on the Barrie Police Service website: https://www.barriepolice.ca/safety/.
7)(Update) OPP seeking driver of silver sedan in shooting at Midland apartment complex
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 7, 2026
Update #3-Aug. 7, 2026
Provincial police say they are seeking to identify and speak with the driver of a silver sedan in connection with a murder investigation in Midland.
They say the vehicle was parked at Little Lake Park sometime between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026.
Police believe the driver may have information that could assist their investigation and are urging them to come forward.
Image supplied by Southern Georgian Bay OPP
Investigators are also requesting photos, video recordings, and dashcam footage from anyone who was in the area during that time and may have captured activity in or around the park.
Shortly after 8 p.m. that night, police say they responded to reports of gunshots at an apartment complex on King Street.
18-year-old Tryce James of Etobicoke was located with gunshot wounds and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
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Update #2- Aug. 2, 2026
Ontario Provincial Police have identified the person who was the victim of a deadly shooting at a King Street apartment complex in Midland.
He is 18-year-old Tryce James of Etobicoke.
Police have not provided any information about a suspect or suspects, but confirm no arrests have been made.
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Update:
Provincial police said a person who was shot at a King Street apartment complex in Midland on Friday night and transported to hospital has died.
The identity of the victim is being withheld until next of kin are notified.
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Original story:
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after one person was shot at an apartment complex on King Street in Midland.
Officers were called to the residence shortly after 8 p.m. Friday following reports of gunshots.
Police say they located one person with gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to a local hospital, but no word was provided about their condition.
8)Traffic stop, public complaint lead to cannabis charges in Gravenhurst
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 4, 2026
Two young drivers are facing charges after Ontario Provincial Police allege cannabis was readily available in their vehicles during two separate incidents in Gravenhurst.
Bracebridge OPP say the first happened early Monday, when an officer stopped a vehicle on Talisman Drive.
The 18-year-old driver from Mapleton Township was charged with having care or control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available and with possession of cannabis while under 19. A 16-year-old passenger from Gravenhurst was warned.
Then later in the evening, police responded to a public complaint about a strong cannabis smell coming from a vehicle parked in a Bethune Drive South parking lot.
Police say officers found a group of people between the ages of 16 and 20 inside, and the 20-year-old driver from Pefferlaw was charged with having care or control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available.
“The Cannabis Control Act (2017) has established prohibitions relating to cannabis including those intended to protect youth. No person under the age of 19 is permitted to possess or consume cannabis. Furthermore, NO person is permitted to drive or have the care or control of a vehicle or boat (whether or not it is in motion) while any cannabis is contained in the vehicle or boat,” police stated in a news release.
9) (Update) ‘It’s extremely disturbing’: Barrie Police call out those who recorded alleged teen assault instead of helping
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Staff, August 4, 2026
Barrie Police are investigating an alleged assault involving a 16-year-old girl – and are now speaking out about the people who recorded the incident and cheered instead of calling for help.
Police say the assault happened around 10 p.m. Friday near Lakeshore Drive and Victoria Street.
The teen suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators are trying to identify two suspects. Both are female and believed to be around 16 years old.
Police say they are aware of a video of the incident circulating on social media, and are asking people not to repost it or share it.
They say the video includes youths who could be easily identified, which could be a violation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
In a video posted to social media. Barrie Police Staff Sgt. Aaron Geertsma said officers are extremely concerned after seeing what happened around the alleged assault.
“Extremely concerned when you watch the video of this fight, the amount of people that are actively participating by videotaping and cheering people on and that nobody stepped in,” Geertsma said.
“It’s extremely disturbing to see.”
The officer said people should not put themselves in danger by physically getting involved in an active assault, but they should contact police or look for help.
“We’re not condoning that you need to get involved into an active assault yourself, but standing by and cheering it on is just not acceptable,” the Staff Sgt. said.
Police are also asking anyone who recorded the incident on their cellphone to provide that video to investigators.
“We’re investigating this as a serious incident and that we would appreciate the cooperation of receiving the evidence that you’ve obtained with your cell phones,” Geertsma added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrie Police at 705-725-7025 or the investigating officer via email at rmartinelli@barriepolice.ca.
10) ‘They just reopen’: Barrie mayor explains new crackdown on illegal businesses
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, August 3, 2026
The City of Barrie says it’s taking a new approach to illegal businesses operating in the city — by going after the property owners who allow them to use their buildings.
The move comes after repeated efforts to shut down illegal marijuana and mushroom dispensaries.
Speaking with Barrie360, Mayor Alex Nuttall said the city needed another tool after previous enforcement efforts did not stop some businesses from reopening.
Nuttall said when the city began taking action there were about six illegal dispensaries operating in Barrie. He says that number has now been reduced to about two, and both are mushroom dispensaries.
“They have, many times. That’s the problem,” he said. “They just reopen, sometimes within hours. That’s why we needed another tool.”
The city announced on July 28 that updated zoning rules now give officials more power to take action against property owners whose buildings are being used for businesses operating outside provincial or federal law.
The change allows the city to go after the property owners who are profiting by renting space to illegal operations.
He says the owners of the two remaining locations have already received about $3,000 in fines. Beginning Aug. 4, Nuttall says each property owner will face a $5,000 fine, followed by an additional $500 every day the violation continues.
The mayor says some of the illegal dispensaries have been linked to violence.
One storefront had a vehicle driven through it, while another location was firebombed. He says authorities across the province have also found some of these businesses selling more than just psychedelic mushrooms.
The mayor says the city is sending a message to property owners that they can no longer ignore what is happening inside their buildings.
“Gone are the days when a property owner can say they don’t care what’s happening inside their storefront. If you’re renting your building to people selling illegal drugs, you’ll either stop or you’ll pay significant fines.”
Nuttall says the two remaining property owners are not connected to the Barrie community.
The mayor says the city is also asking for stronger action from the provincial and federal governments when it comes to illegal drug operations, but says Barrie is using the tools available to it.
The City says it continues to work with Barrie police on enforcement under the updated zoning bylaw, and additional notices and fees could be issued until violations are resolved.