RNC arrests man following assault outside St. John’s Headquarters

The RNC arrested a man on Friday following an assault outside police headquarters in St. John’s that left two people injured.

Police said officers responded around 7 a.m. to a disturbance in which a man was assaulting a civilian employee. A responding officer was also injured during the altercation. During the arrest, police said the accused refused to cooperate and attempted to disarm an officer.

Both injured men were taken to hospital for further treatment.

Twenty-two-year-old Jamal Omer was charged with aggravated assault, assaulting a peace officer, uttering threats, resisting arrest and disarming a police officer. He was held to appear in court.

The RNC said mental health and crisis supports were offered to staff, with clinicians onsite throughout the day.

Police said a review was underway to examine ways to further strengthen employee safety protocols and enhance security measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.