A Canadian teenager has found herself in hot water, facing arson charges after allegedly setting ablaze a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team. The incident unfolded during a road trip to Winnipeg, Canada, marking an unexpected twist in the team’s travel itinerary.
The Kane County Cougars, an independent professional baseball team hailing from the United States, were on Canadian soil for a series of games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. This scheduled visit took an alarming turn when their mode of transportation became the center of a fire emergency.
On May 21, the Winnipeg Police Service responded swiftly to reports of the team’s bus consumed by flames outside Blue Cross Park. This startling scene greeted both the team and law enforcement as they arrived, igniting a criminal investigation that quickly pointed to a teenage suspect.
In an unrelated case, federal authorities have also been dealing with a separate incident involving an Arizona suspect accused of vandalizing an ICE facility and attempting to set fire to its lobby, highlighting a troubling pattern of arson-related activities.
The charges against the Canadian teenager for the bus fire have captured attention, with the case underscoring issues of safety and security during international sports tours. The Kane County Cougars, undeterred by the incident, continue their season with an eye on ensuring the safety of their players and staff during future travels.
Authorities determined that the fire was intentionally set. Two teenagers were initially taken into custody. A 15-year-old girl has since been charged with arson causing damage to property and possession of incendiary material.
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The teen was later released into the custody of a responsible adult, police said.
“The entire bus and contents were destroyed,” the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.
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A New York Yankees photo shows a bag of baseballs on a field. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
“We are very disappointed that this could happen to our family-owned company, and the loss of this vehicle will impact our business and operations,” Windstar operations manager Jackson Greteman told a CBC Lite.
“We are happy that no one was hurt in this reckless act of vandalism and are co-operating with local authorities,” he added.
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Police in Winnipeg arrested a Canadian teen after a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team was destroyed in a fire. (Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Greteman said damage to the 56-seat bus and destroyed equipment is estimated at roughly $425,000.
Authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive as the investigation continues.