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Men seen carrying chainsaws at Cherry Beach arrested

Two men are seen carrying chainsaws in this Facebook video published the day they were arrested. Police were called to the scene following reports of a large fight. (David Sullivan/Facebook)

Two men were arrested following a fight between a large group of people north of Cherry Beach in Toronto on Sunday morning, police say.

The arrests came as witness video featuring two men carrying chainsaws and intimidating pedestrians emerged on social media. The video shared on Facebook shows two men brandishing the saws and turning them on as they approach a small crowd who scatter away. Reports from beach-goers on Reddit described fear at the scene as the men allegedly "lunged" at cyclists.

In an update on Monday, Toronto police told CBC News that police were called to the Unwin Avenue and Cherry Street area around 10 a.m. on Aug. 9 for an assault in progress.

Const. Caroline de Kloet said that two men involved in the original altercation suffered injuries, then left and returned to the scene with weapons. Those same men were charged with assault.

A man is seen carrying a chainsaw approaching pedestrians. Two men were arrested near Cherry Beach on Aug 9. following reports of a large fight breaking out. (David Sullivan/Facebook)
A man is seen carrying a chainsaw approaching pedestrians. Two men were arrested near Cherry Beach on Aug 9. following reports of a large fight breaking out. (David Sullivan/Facebook)

Police initially reported yesterday that the injured parties were not those who were arrested, but have confirmed today that they in fact were. As the two men who were arrested are also considered victims, police are not naming them, said de Kloet.

Despite reports on social media about the chainsaws being carried by the men, police confirmed that no chainsaws were used to inflict any injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and any witnesses are encouraged to contact police.