A video circulating on social media appears to show a man carrying a hunting crossbow at the Khalsa Day Parade in Mississauga on May 3, 2026. The incident has ignited online debate about public safety and weapon laws, but Peel Regional Police say they have not received any complaints.
Video Shows Crossbow at Community Event
The video, posted on the Instagram account nihangg84, shows a participant holding what looks like a crossbow with arrows at the parade route near Darcel Avenue and Brandon Gate Drive in the Malton area. Other participants can be heard confronting the man about the weapon.
Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell-Morena stated that while the authenticity of the video cannot be confirmed, no such incident was reported to police during or in connection with the parade. He noted that Section 89 of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the possession of weapons, including crossbows, at demonstrations and public protests, but no charges have been laid.
Public Reaction and Concerns
The video has raised concerns among residents who are already on edge following recent violent incidents in the Greater Toronto Area, including the Tumbler Ridge massacre in British Columbia and the 2020 Nova Scotia shootings. Some online commenters questioned whether the crossbow was real or an imitation.
Joty Pannu, owner of SAUGA 960 AM Radio, translated comments from the video, indicating that participants told the man that Sikhs do not need such weapons at a community event. The man reportedly agreed.
Organizers Unaware
A spokesperson for Ontario Khalsa Darber, which helped organize the parade, said they were unaware of the crossbow and would look into the matter. The parade attracted over 300,000 attendees in Mississauga and Toronto.
Similar Incidents Raise Alarm
This incident follows a similar event in Toronto on May 2, where a man dressed in full combat wear with a replica assault rifle was taken down by police at a cosplay picnic in Trinity-Bellwoods Park. The man claimed he was dressed for a costume event.
These incidents highlight the challenges police and the public face in distinguishing real weapons from replicas. Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious items immediately.
Legal Rights to Record in Public
The debate over the crossbow video also touches on the rights of journalists and citizens to record in public spaces. In Ontario, there is no law prohibiting photography or video recording at public events. However, protesters sometimes attempt to block filming, leading to confrontations.
In a separate incident on May 10, a videographer working with lawyer and political satirist Caryma Sa'd was kicked and had his phone grabbed by protesters and a police officer while filming a demonstration in Richmond Hill. Sa'd has faced similar assaults, with her phone stolen on multiple occasions.
Police are reminded that journalists have the right to document public events without interference. As one observer noted, if a person with a crossbow is not complained about, there should be no complaints about photographers doing their job.
