A viral video of an alleged citizen’s arrest taking place earlier in February in Calgary

Viral Video of Alleged Citizen’s Arrest Divides Public Opinion

A viral video circulating on social media has ignited debate after showing what is being described online as a citizen’s arrest in downtown Calgary earlier this month.

The edited clip, posted on Friday, Feb. 13, features green on-screen text reading “Citizens Arrest In Downtown Calgary” and asks viewers, “Who’s in the wrong?” The footage was recorded in the parking lot of a Calgary Co-op location off 11 Street S.W. in early February.

The video shows a man pinned to the ground by four individuals, with one person appearing to punch him in the face. During the struggle, the man can be heard shouting, “I can’t breathe.”

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The clip was shared collaboratively by the Events in Calgary Instagram and Facebook pages, which have a combined following of hundreds of thousands. It was filmed and edited by Calgary Instagram personality YYCBorat, whose real name is Arshia Rezaei-Afsah.

Speaking about the incident, Rezaei-Afsah said he was shocked by what he witnessed while passing by the scene. According to him, the man being restrained was allegedly stealing, became frightened, and allegedly threw a punch before being subdued by the group.

The video has since gained significant traction online, generating over half a million views and more than a thousand comments on Instagram, along with tens of thousands of views on Facebook. Commenters remain divided on whether the force used was justified or excessive.

Legal Perspective on Citizen’s Arrest in Canada

Under Canadian law, citizen’s arrests are permitted under certain circumstances. Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist and professor at Mount Royal University, explained that Sections 25 and 494 of the Canadian Criminal Code allow private citizens to make an arrest, provided the force used is reasonable and justified.

“The law allows it,” Sundberg noted, adding that such provisions have been tested in Canadian courts. However, he emphasized that actions must remain proportionate and sensible.

According to Sundberg, the general principle applied by law enforcement is that a person may use one level of force higher than the resistance they are facing. Determining whether force crosses the line into assault depends heavily on the specific circumstances.

Fine Line Between Intervention and Criminal Liability

Experts caution that situations involving untrained individuals can quickly escalate. While intervening to stop an alleged crime may be legal, exceeding reasonable force could expose those involved to criminal charges themselves.

“As soon as it exceeds what is reasonable, their actions now enter into the criminal realm of assault,” Sundberg explained.

The incident has sparked broader discussion about public safety, the limits of citizen intervention, and the risks associated with taking enforcement into private hands. As debate continues online, the video serves as a reminder of the complex balance between preventing crime and respecting legal boundaries.

Source: CityNews Calgary